(NaturalHealth365)  Despite what some “gurus” would have you believe, living a healthy lifestyle isn’t really that complicated.  Even if you’re on a limited budget, you don’t need anything fancy to increase your ability to live a longer, happier life.

Even the lackluster World Health Organization (WHO) admits that 60% of all health and wellness outcomes, including a person’s lifespan, relate to lifestyle factors within a person’s own control.  This statistic highlights the immense power we have over our own health destinies.

Fantastic five: Lifestyle habits that make a difference

A 2024 study published in the peer-reviewed journal JMIR Public Health Surveillance provides compelling evidence for the impact of healthy lifestyle choices.  This comprehensive research, conducted in Taiwan, evaluated health and longevity data from nearly 20,000 people over a span of 15.6 years.

The study identified five key lifestyle factors that, when combined, led to remarkable health benefits:

1. Maintain a healthy diet – including sufficient intake of fruits and vegetables
2. Keep a normal body weight
3. Engage in sufficient physical activity
4. Limit alcohol consumption
5. Don’t smoke

People who adhered to all five lifestyle practices experienced:

• A 63% lower risk of dying from any cause compared to those who didn’t
• An average life gain of 7.13 years
• A 28.12% reduction in annual healthcare expenditure

The study provided insights into the effects of each lifestyle factor:

• Non-smoking:  Added 2.31 years to life expectancy and reduced annual healthcare costs by 9.78%
• Sufficient physical activity:  Increased life expectancy by 1.85 years
• Adequate fruit and vegetable intake:  Boosted life expectancy by 3.25 years
• Maintaining optimal body weight:  Decreased annual healthcare expenditure by 18.36%

These findings demonstrate that even adopting some of these habits can lead to significant improvements in longevity and health-related costs.

What is the global impact of diet and lifestyle?

The importance of a healthy diet is further emphasized by the Global Burden of Disease study published in the Lancet.  This comprehensive research found that in 2017 alone, about 20% of all adult deaths – a staggering 11 million – were directly attributable to dietary factors, including:

• Excessive sodium consumption
• Low intake of whole grains
• Insufficient fruit consumption

While not specifically mentioned in the studies, it’s worth noting other dietary factors that can impact health:

• Overconsumption of sugar and refined carbohydrates
• Reliance on highly processed foods
• Potential issues with gluten for sensitive individuals, even in “organic” grains

From sick care to true healthcare: Be the change

The clear data on longevity should prompt a shift in healthcare approaches.  The current system often focuses on treating diseases rather than preventing them.  However, the evidence strongly suggests that adopting healthy lifestyle habits can significantly reduce the need for medical interventions and decrease healthcare costs.

While systemic changes may be slow, you have the power to transform your own health starting now.  By incorporating these evidence-based lifestyle factors into your daily routine, you can set an example for your family and friends, potentially adding years to your life and life to your years.

Remember, it’s never too late to start making positive changes.  Every step towards a healthier lifestyle is a step towards a longer, more vibrant quality of life.

Sources for this article include:

NIH.gov
LifeExtension.com
WHO.int
NYTimes.com
NIH.gov
TheLancet.com