Men: 10 Tips to Living to 85 and Beyond in Good Health

What are the secrets of men who live to the age of 85 in good health and continue to live past this age? While it is generally accurate that women outlive men, 14% of men live to age 100 while 86% of women live to age 100, how can men increase their chances of a long life.?2

Below are 10 brief tips for men to consider today to increase the chances of living to a healthy age 85 and beyond.

Maintain a healthy weight and avoid abdominal obesity; maintain a body mass index of 25 or lower. A healthy weight offers the benefits of positive physical and emotional health and avoids early age-related disability which results in an earlier than expected death.
Eat a healthy diet, the Mediterranean-like diet.3 Avoid the traps of fast food supported by the American lifestyle. You are what you eat, research proves that a healthy diet avoids chronic disease.
Engage in leisure time physical activity and exercise. Physical activity supports ongoing positive mental health and physical strength, reduces stress, and increases positive self-esteem.
Avoid smoking of all substances.

Maintain normal blood pressure to support positive cardiovascular health. Take blood pressure medication if high blood pressure is a hereditary factor. Don’t bury your head in the sand. Heart disease kills.
Maintain normal blood sugar. Avoid processed sugars. Get enough rest. Don’t skip meals. Exercise.
Avoid cardiovascular issues through all of the above: a poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, and being overweight. Cardiovascular disease is the #1 cause of death in the entire world.
Live with someone: a partner, spouse, friend, or family. Socialization is important.
Delay or escape age related diseases past the age of 80. The longer you remain healthy the less likely you are to acquire chronic diseases that many adults face beginning nearly 40 years earlier that continue to have serious negative effects for an entire lifetime.
Avoid a diagnosis of dementia by participating in all of the above activities.

1 Franzon, K. et. al. Predictors of Independent Aging and Survival: A 16-Year Follow-Up Report in Octogenarian Men. J Am Geriatric Soc 65: 1953-1960, 2017. DOI10.1111/jgs.14971.

2 Male Centenarians: How and Why Are They Different from their Female Counterparts? Journal Compilation JAGS 65:1904-1906, 2017. DOI: 10.1111/jgs.14978

3 Mediterranean Diet: a Heart Healthy Eating Plan, https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/mediterranean-diet/art-20047801. Accessed 11/5/17

©2017 Pamela D. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.

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