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Prevent Disease: 4 Simple Ways to Thwart 4 Major Diseases
This Week's Tips
Want to reduce your risk of disease by a whopping 78 percent? (Who doesn't?) Following just four little rules could do it for you.
They are, in order of importance, (1) watch your weight, (2) say no to cigarettes, (3) take a daily walk, and (4) stick to a produce-and-whole-grains-focused diet. Sounds so simple.
The Fabulous 4
And according to a large European study, it really was just that straightforward. People in the study who had a BMI under 30, had never smoked, got at least 3 1/2 hours of physical activity each week, and ate a relatively healthy diet -- meaning a little meat and lots of fruit, veggies, and whole grains -- enjoyed major risk reductions for all sorts of diseases, from diabetes and cancer to heart disease and stroke. Could you spot a stroke in seconds? Take the quiz in this article to find out.
Reduce Your Risk
Okay, okay. We know that following those four rules is not as simple as it sounds. If it were, we'd all live to be 100. But don't worry. The study showed that there were also benefits to following just three of the rules. As well as just two. And yes, even following just one of the rules conferred some health benefits. But why not shoot for all four and get the biggest health break? Here are some tricks and tools to help you make it happen:
- Need to lose a few pounds? This online version of a best-selling diet book can get you on your way.
- You can quit smoking -- really! RealAge doctors show you how with this online YOU Can Quit plan.
- Exercise doesn't have to be hard. Check out this easy walking workout video that you can do in the privacy of your own home.
- Not getting enough produce or whole grains? Reinvent your meals with these delicious vegetarian recipes from the RealAge Recipe Finder.
Find out how these four important habits are affecting your RealAge by updating your test.
RealAge Benefit:
Sticking to your RealAge Plan can make your RealAge up to 29 years younger.
Healthy living is the best revenge: findings from the European Prospective Investigation Into Cancer and Nutrition-Potsdam study. Ford, E. S. et al., Archives of Internal Medicine 2009 Aug 10;169(15):1355-1362.
