Title: Study Reveals Eight Habits to Slow Biological Aging and Improve Heart Health
A recent study conducted by researchers at Columbia University has shed light on the power of adopting a set of recommended behaviors known as the “Life’s Essential 8.” The study, which analyzed data from over 6,500 adults, discovered that following these habits can significantly slow down biological aging and improve heart health.
Biological age, also known as phenotypical age, is determined by a person’s actual age combined with the levels of nine markers in the blood collected during a routine annual physical. Factors such as liver and kidney health, immune system function, diabetes risk, and inflammation levels all play a role in determining biological age.
The American Heart Association’s “Life’s Essential 8” recommendations include eating a healthy diet, engaging in regular physical activity, quitting tobacco, getting enough sleep, maintaining a healthy weight, controlling cholesterol levels, managing blood sugar, and controlling blood pressure. The study found that incorporating these habits into daily life could result in up to a five-year difference between chronological age and biological age.
Lead author of the study, Nour Makarem, emphasized the importance of improving heart health in slowing down the body’s aging process. Even small, gradual changes in lifestyle can have positive effects on overall health. The research also highlighted that following the eight recommendations can improve the health of other organs, such as the liver and kidneys.
Cardiologist Dr. Howard Weintraub suggests that these findings may motivate individuals to improve their lifestyles, as the study demonstrates the potential benefits of following the recommendations to slow down the aging process. Dr. Annapoorna Kini, director of the cardiac catheterization lab at Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital, believes the study indicates that lifestyle may be even more important than genetic inheritance when it comes to heart health.
While further research is still needed to validate the results, if a larger study confirms these findings, it could be a game-changer in understanding and improving overall health. The study’s implications offer hope for individuals looking to slow down biological aging and improve heart health through simple lifestyle changes.
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