It’s clear now more than ever that living longer is heavily influenced by lifestyle choices like diet and exercise, but a recent unpublished study found that certain habits can add more than 20 additional years to your life.

The research, presented last month at the American Society for Nutrition’s annual meeting, found that practicing eight healthy habits at age 40 was associated with an additional 24 years of life for men.

Women saw similar benefits from incorporating the practices in their lives at age 40, with 21 extra years added to their lives.

“We were really surprised by just how much could be gained with the adoption of one, two, three, or all eight lifestyle factors,” said Xuan-Mai Nguyen, lead study author, and health science specialist at the Department of Veterans Affairs, in a press release.

“The earlier the better, but even if you only make a small change in your 40s, 50s, or 60s, it still is beneficial.”

The eight habits, listed in order, starting with the highest impact on lifespan, include:

1. Exercising
2. Not having an addiction to opioids
3. Avoiding smoking
4. Managing your stress levels
5. Adhering to a healthy diet as per your genetic requirements
6. Not binge drinking
7. Prioritising good sleep
8. Maintaining positive social relationships

Even adding only one of the habits to their routine seemed to provide 4.5 or 3.5 more years of life for men and women, respectively. Just two of the behaviors added seven more years of life for men and eight extra years for women.

The observational study looked into the lifestyle choices of more than 700,000 U.S. military veterans from ages 40 to 99, who are all participants of a years-long study called the Million Veteran Program.

Lack of physical activity, opioid use, and smoking had the biggest impacts on lifespan with a 30% to 45% increased risk of death, the study found.

“Stress, binge drinking, poor diet, and poor sleep hygiene were each associated with around a 20% increase in the risk of death, and a lack of positive social relationships was associated with a 5% increased risk of death,” the release states.

Participants also saw increases when adding healthy habits in their 50s and 60s, said Nguyen: “It is never too late to adopt a healthy lifestyle.”

Life X DNA is at the forefront of scientific advancement, and we’re excited to shed light on how DNA testing can contribute to the pursuit of reversing aging. Your DNA carries the blueprint of your existence, and by delving into its intricacies, we can uncover valuable insights into the aging process.

Through cutting-edge analysis of specific genes and genetic markers, our advanced DNA test can provide personalised information about factors that influence aging, such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and cellular repair mechanisms. Armed with this knowledge, individuals can make informed lifestyle choices tailored to their unique genetic makeup, effectively mitigating accelerated aging processes.

Furthermore, DNA testing allows us to identify genetic predispositions to age-related diseases, enabling early intervention and preventive measures. By understanding one’s genetic susceptibilities, individuals can take proactive steps to ward off conditions that often accompany aging, like cardiovascular ailments, cognitive decline, and metabolic disorders.

It’s important to note that while DNA testing offers profound insights, reversing aging remains a complex and multifaceted challenge that requires comprehensive approaches. Our DNA test serves as a crucial tool, empowering individuals to take charge of their health and aging journey through informed decisions, targeted strategies, and the above 8 steps.

Life X DNA is dedicated to advancing scientific knowledge for a healthier, vibrant future, where aging is met with resilience and vitality.

Stay healthy, stay informed

Robbie V
Founder