Beech Tree News Network

Last week, I read a health article (10 Simple Habits That Could Help You Live to 100, by Mark Stibich, PhD, and medically reviewed by Forest Miller, OTR/L). This article listed ten healthy habits that can help a person live a longer, healthier life. Three of those habits include daily sun exposure, daily flossing, and eating plant-based foods.

First, the author suggested getting 15 minutes of daily sun exposure. He explained that these minutes are enough to maintain a healthy person’s vitamin D levels. This vitamin is essential for bone growth, bone rebuilding, involuntary muscle contractions, and the conversion of blood glucose (sugar) into energy. On the flip side, vitamin D deficiency can impair these functions. Additionally, a 2019 review of studies found that a vitamin D deficiency is linked to a higher risk of death by all causes when compared to those with normal vitamin D levels, including death by cancer. Therefore, practicing 15 minutes of daily sun exposure could lengthen lives.

A second recommendation was to floss daily. Gum disease (periodontitis) is the sixth most common disease worldwide, and severe gum disease is directly linked to an increased risk of (1) heart disease and (2) death from heart attacks. Flossing prevents gum disease, thereby preventing bacteria in the mouth from passing through compromised tissues and entering the blood stream. The bloodborne bacteria can migrate to the heart, infecting and damaging the heart muscle and valves. So, flossing daily may extend life expectancy.

A third suggestion was to eat more plants, such as fruits and vegetables. This does not mean that people should stop eating meat. Yet, focusing on the consumption of plant-based foods has benefits, such as lowering the risk of obesity and reducing the consumption of sugars, salt, and saturated fats. Whole grains, legumes, vegetables, and fruits are nutrient dense foods. Eating a well-rounded diet can reduce the risk of diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and colon cancer. Thus, eating more plant-based foods may result in delaying diseases, leading to a longer life.

Jim Rohn advised, “Take care of your body, it’s the only place you have to live.” The article “10 Simple Habits That Could Help You Live to 100” detailed how healthy habits help people take care of their bodies, living longer, healthier lives. Ultimately, such information causes me to reflect on my own habits and – occasionally – make hard choices.