By michael - February, 12th 2014

Healthy behaviour in middle age significantly increases the chances of staying disease-free later in life, according to a study.

Natural Health News — A 35-year study has identified the five most influential behaviours for ensuring a disease free lifestyle.

There are, arguably, no surprises in the list; taking regular exercise, being a non-smoker, maintaining a low body weight, eating a healthy diet and keeping your alcohol intake low all work together to promote long-term health. The hard part, as the researchers suggest, is to get people engaged in these behaviours early enough in their lives to make a real difference.

In the study, which followed 2,235 men aged 45-59 in Caerphilly, South Wales, those who consistently followed four or five of these behaviours experienced a 60% decline in dementia and cognitive decline – with exercise having the biggest impact – as well as 70%  fewer instances of diabetes, heart disease and stroke, compared with people who followed none.

Findings of enormous importance

“The size of reduction in the instance of disease owing to these …

“If you want the best possible chance of staying healthy as the years go by, avoid smoking, don’t drink more than moderate amounts of alcohol, and enjoy at least two and a half hours of physical activity each week. Eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruit and veg is part of that winning formula, too.”

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