Cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Mohammad Salim Ratnani worked as a partner at Thoracic & Cardiovascular Associates, Inc. and as a clinical associate professor at the West Virginia University School of Medicine. Certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery, Dr. Muhammad Salim Ratnani is interested in aging and longevity.
Longevity is long life. Thanks to medical advances that have uncovered treatments for infectious diseases, humans today live longer than they did a century ago. While the average life span in 1900 was 50 years, today, in the United States, men have an average life span of 76 years and women 81 years.
Many factors determine how long a person will live, from genetics to behavior and environment. It is possible, though, for all people to live longer by following certain healthy habits. They include:
1. Exercising regularly - Studies show that exercising for as little as 15 minutes a day can add three years to a person’s life while reducing the risk of premature death by 4 percent.
2. Eating more vegetables - Many studies link plant-rich diets to lower the risk of chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease. These foods are also highly nutritious and full of antioxidants to lower oxidative stress in the body, decreasing the risk of premature death.
3. Reducing stress and anxiety - Stress and anxiety are linked to higher risks of heart disease and stroke. Men who have one of the two are three times more likely to die prematurely, while women are two times more likely. This ties into the importance of happiness. People who are happier live 18 percent longer than those who are not.
4. Cultivating social relationships - Humans are social beings. Studies show that nurturing social connections leads to positive changes in heart, brain, and immune functions. It keeps chronic conditions at bay, decreases stress, and can increase a person’s lifespan by up to 50 percent.
Other habits that improve longevity are quitting smoking, limiting alcohol, and reducing calorie intake to manage weight.
Longevity is long life. Thanks to medical advances that have uncovered treatments for infectious diseases, humans today live longer than they did a century ago. While the average life span in 1900 was 50 years, today, in the United States, men have an average life span of 76 years and women 81 years.
Many factors determine how long a person will live, from genetics to behavior and environment. It is possible, though, for all people to live longer by following certain healthy habits. They include:
1. Exercising regularly - Studies show that exercising for as little as 15 minutes a day can add three years to a person’s life while reducing the risk of premature death by 4 percent.
2. Eating more vegetables - Many studies link plant-rich diets to lower the risk of chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease. These foods are also highly nutritious and full of antioxidants to lower oxidative stress in the body, decreasing the risk of premature death.
3. Reducing stress and anxiety - Stress and anxiety are linked to higher risks of heart disease and stroke. Men who have one of the two are three times more likely to die prematurely, while women are two times more likely. This ties into the importance of happiness. People who are happier live 18 percent longer than those who are not.
4. Cultivating social relationships - Humans are social beings. Studies show that nurturing social connections leads to positive changes in heart, brain, and immune functions. It keeps chronic conditions at bay, decreases stress, and can increase a person’s lifespan by up to 50 percent.
Other habits that improve longevity are quitting smoking, limiting alcohol, and reducing calorie intake to manage weight.
