FitSugar

Sweat 15 Minutes a Day and Add Three Years to Your Life, Study Says

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 10:18:41 PDT

If your busy schedule doesn't allow for the recommended 30 minutes of daily exercise, a large study from Taiwan should make you feel better. The 13-year study tracked 416,000 participants and found that just 15 minutes of moderate exercise increased their life expectancy by three years, compared to those who didn't exercise. Daily workouts lower the incidence of cancer, and therefore lower the risk of cancer-related deaths.

Now who wouldn't dedicate 15 minutes a day if they could live longer? If you need some ideas for 15-minute mini workouts, check out the list below:

Walk your dog briskly around the neighborhood.
Head to the track and walk a mile, going around four times at a pace of four miles per hour (15 minutes per mile).
Run one and a half miles at a pace of 10 minutes per mile.
Do a mini interval workout on the elliptical or treadmill. Start off walking for two minutes, jog for two minutes, sprint for one minute, jog two, sprint one, jog two, sprint one, jog two, and end with two minutes of walking.

Keep reading for more 15-minute workout ideas.

What's the Secret to a Long Life?

Leta Shy — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 03:00:30 PDT

Old people have been in the news lately, and everyone wants to know their secret. There are the "World's Oldest Siblings," the eldest of whom, at 108, has been smoking "for more than 80 years, all day long, every day" and enjoys the regular cocktail. She's not the only one; doctors who've studied the siblings, along with others eligible for a Smucker's birthday celebration, found that many of the centenarians were overweight, smokers, and non-exercisers for most of their lives.

There's also the recent study that says the secret to a long life is getting enough sleep; women who slept fewer than five hours every night were less likely to live as long as those who got five to 6.5 hours of sleep. And then there's the new finding that those with a high level of the DHEAS hormone tend to exercise more, have better relationships, and live longer; the hormone - also called the "wealth" hormone because those who have the highest levels of it tend to be rich - helps regulate stress levels in the body.

With all the speculation about how we can live longer, what do you believe is the secret to a long life? Can we prolong our lives by getting enough sleep, practicing a healthy lifestyle, and limiting stress, or is it all in our genetics?

Why Japanese Women May Outlive Us

FitSugar — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 03:47:14 PDT

Japanese women have an average lifespan of 86.44 years, topping the world's longevity records for 25 years in a row, the government said on Monday in a health ministry report. This is also the fourth year in a row that life expectancy has risen in the country. The increase reflects better medical treatment in areas of cancer, cardiac disorders, and strokes - the three main causes of death among the elderly in Japan. Officials also cite the country's high standard of living and healthy eating practices as contributing factors.

When I spoke to celeb trainer Harley Pasternak about the world's eating habits, he said Japan was one of the healthiest diets he experienced. And since I've been following the Mediterranean diet for some time now, I may give the typical Japanese diet a try too. A typical Japanese diet is composed of rice, fresh seafood, soy, seaweed, and all types of noodles, including the very healthy buckwheat soba noodles. It also includes lots of veggies and fruits, and little reliance on beef or processed foods. A huge factor in the Japanese diet is portion control, which remains very moderate. And besides longevity, the Japanese also enjoy one of the world's lowest obesity rates.

In Case You Didn't Know, Yoga Is the Secret to Longevity

OnSugar — Sun, 23 May 2010 03:30:06 PDT

I've become a big fan of the OnSugar blog Yoga Off the Mat, but I think this most recent post is my favorite.

My great friend / yoga colleague Cindy Storman told me a wonderful story recently. I just had to share this with everyone.

I've known Cindy for almost a decade now, and she has not aged a bit. Good genes and longevity run in her family.

So picture Cindy, at her Great Aunt Esther's 100th birthday party. Since her Aunt Esther is in such great shape, both physically and mentally, she wanted to mark this milestone, and a huge party was thrown in her honor. Over 100 of her family and friends joined for the celebration.

During the party, she was sitting in a chair with her tiara on. Her many children, grandchildren, great gran children, and the children of their children all gathered around her. They began to share stories about her through the years... all on film.

At one point, Cindy asked her Auntie, "What do you think the secret to your longevity is?"

Esther thought for a moment, and then said "Oh, it's the yoga, it's definitely the yoga."

Cindy was shocked. Cindy has taught yoga for more than ten years, and had never heard her Auntie mention yoga to her. Auntie continued to explain wisely how you have to do one side, and then the other. And you have to do it reeeaaal slow. And you have to have a good yoga teacher, "like my Cindy over here." (This made Cindy smile.)

Then Cindy asked, "So, exactly how long have you been doing yoga?"

Aunt Esther replied "Oh... about 6 months now."

I love this story. You are never too old to start a yoga practice!

Gain more yoga insight by following Yoga Off the Mat. And why not start your own OnSugar blog? Your posts could be featured here on FitSugar.

Source: andyfreeberg.com

How to Live to Be 100

FitSugar — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 07:00:27 PST

Since most of us want to live a long, fulfilling, disease-free life, we'd love to know how to make that happen. Does it have to do with a diet full of organic broccoli and not a lot of ice cream? Is regular exercise the trick? Daily meditation to relieve stress? Vitamins? Is it our genes? I'm sure you're thinking it's probably a combination of all these, but there's more to it than that. Before discussing what will help us live a long, healthy life, let's first go over some myths about what people commonly think about longevity.

"If I try really hard, I can live to be 100." False. About one in 5,000 Americans will live to be 100, so your chances are low when it comes to hitting triple digits. Evolutionarily speaking, we're only designed to live until our children have children, and sadly enough, by 80, we've already served our procreation purposes.
"Treatments exist that can slow, reverse, or stop aging." False. Unfortunately, cell damage can't be prevented.

Even though there's no fountain of youth to help us all become centenarians, there are some habits to help us live the fullest life possible. Author Dan Buettner, National Geographic researchers, and The National Institute on Aging studied five places known as "Blue Zones," whose populations live considerably longer lives - from Sardinia to Okinawa. In these five areas, the researchers found four commonalities. Learn them when you

Sex Could Be the Secret to Longevity

FitSugar — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:00:00 PDT

Most people don't need another reason to get busy between the sheets, but this might come as appreciated news to those skeptical about the productivity of getting down. Dr. Michael Roizen and Dr. Mehmet Oz visited Good Morning America to talk about the health benefits of sex, and here are the highlights from their bedroom talk.

Women who enjoy sex live longer lives than women who do not.
Men can cut their risk of heart attack and stroke in half by having sex three times a week.
Sex can make women feel two to eight years younger. Men can achieve the same youthfulness by having 150 to 350 orgasms annually.
General pain can be decreased through orgasms.

You know my gal pal DearSugar is excited by this news too.

Source

5 Signs You’ll Live Longer Than You Think

FitSugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:30:00 PDT

I am always trying to do what I can to extend my own life expectancy. Sometimes I consciously make decisions that I know will keep me around longer (like not smoking), but there are also many things that we all do (some we have no control over), which influence how long we're going to live. Prevention recently listed some surprising signs you’ll live longer than you think. So instead of thinking you need to change up your habits, give yourself a pat on the back for the ones you already do. Check out my favorites from the list in this slideshow.

Source

Laughter: More Than the Best Medicine

FitSugar — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 03:00:00 PDT

We have all heard that laughter is the best medicine; well some Norwegian researchers think it might just be more than that. Folks that have a sense of humor, especially in the face of cancer, outlive those who don't find life funny. The study tracked 57,000 Norwegians for 7 years and the larger role humor played in participants' daily lives, the greater their chances for surviving. Check out this article at USA Today for more on this study.

Now another recent study, this one British, found laughter acts as a "social lubricant" and can thereby make folks more altruistic as a group. Participants were shown either serious or comic videos in groups and then asked to "invest" money. They could invest either "privately" with a guaranteed return or "communally" with all participants receiving an equal return, but with no guarantee that it would match the amount put into the investment. Yep, you guessed it - the participants that laughed with their investing partners, who they had never met before, were more likely to invest communally. Laughing together makes people feel like they are more connected. The researchers are postulating that laughter could have evolutionary significance in creating group bonding which increases the group's survival in stressful situations.

Well...laugh and the world laughs with you...and you might live longer...and you might invest your money more altruistically which would make you feel warm inside.

Now if you are looking for a laugh, a chuckle or a guffaw...check out my buddy GiggleSugar. I am sure she has something to help you live longer.

Stop Monkeying Around and Wear Sunscreen

FitSugar — Sun, 26 Nov 2006 05:35:00 PST

You always tell your husband to stop acting like a monkey, but now you may want to change that tune.

HealthDay News reported that (according to new research in the journal Current Biology) male chimps prefer older females with bald patches, sagging skin and wrinkles over younger females with full fur and well-toned bodies.

That's good news for monkeys since I can't think of one that wears sunscreen and works out regularly. What a different world it would be if human primates felt the same.

For those of us not worried about what our male counterparts think, but who still want to look good for a very long time there is sunscreen. One of the best things you can do to stay looking young and to prevent skin cancer is to protect your skin. I know it's hard to think about in the middle of winter but if you're planning a sunny holiday or ski trip, you should invest in a good sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher. Remember to apply it 15-30 minutes before going outdoors.

Fit's Tip: Always look for a lotion that protects from ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. If you have sensitive skin, look for a sunscreen that contains only zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These ingredients will provide a barrier against UV rays without your skin chemically taking them in, which in theory is gentler on your skin.

The Secrets of the World's Healthiest Women

Health — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 04:45:10 PST

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Health.com here on our site.

From pouring on the olive oil like the Greeks to slashing stress like the Scandinavians, what we
can learn from the happiest, slimmest, longest-living cultures around the globe.

The secret to a long, healthy life in America? According to longevity researchers, it may be to act like you live somewhere else.

It seems like every year another country's lifestyle is touted as the new magic bullet to cure us of obesity, heart disease, and premature death: for an unclogged heart, herd goats and down olive oil like a Mediterranean. Avoid breast cancer and live to 100 by dining on tofu, Japanese-style. Stay as happy as Norwegians by hunting elk and foraging for cowberries.

Health.com: Weight-Loss Secrets From Around the World

The places we're usually told to emulate are known as Blue Zones or Cold Spots. Blue Zones were pinpointed by explorer Dan Buettner and a team of longevity researchers and are described in his book The Blue Zones: Lessons For Living Longer From the People Who've Lived the Longest. They're areas in Italy, Japan, Greece, California, and Costa Rica where the people have traditionally stayed healthy and active to age 100 or older.

Keep on reading for more great tips from around the globe.