Do you know that you can actually “hack” your body in order to live longer? Not only that, but to live longer with better health and vitality.
Biohackers have shown that we can tweak and optimize our body’s internal biology with simple lifestyle changes to increase life span and reduce the risk of age-related disease.
Here are 7 super easy longevity hacks and how they work. Try them and prepare to be amazed!
1. Vitamin D promotes telomere health
Vitamin D delays aging through its impact on telomeres. These are tiny sheaths at the tips of our chromosomes, similar to the caps on shoelaces. Telomeres protect our chromosomes (and the DNA inside them) from inflammation, oxidation and damage.
The younger we are, the longer these protective telomeres are. They tend to shorten and weaken with age. Science tells us that the faster our telomeres shrink, the faster we age.
Research has shown that vitamin D prevents the shortening of telomeres over the long-term, which delays aging. Vitamin D also promotes overall DNA health.
The vest source of vitamin D is the sun so, get out into the sun as often as you can! Vitamin D supplements are an alternative if you live in a climate where is not always sunny.
2. Regular exercise improves telomere health
Studies have shown that regular exercise increases telomere length and in turn, life span.
Studies on over 2000 pairs of twins showed that those who were more active had longer telomeres than their siblings. The resulting difference in life span was an average of 10 years longer for the active twin.
So, get active and lay the foundation for longer life. Any form of regular exercise, even regular nature walks, increases your chances of living longer and healthier,
3. Meditation increases telomerase production
Telomerase is an enzyme that rebuilds the length of telomeres, which in effect, promotes longevity and DNA health. The stress-reducing qualities and calming effects of meditation could be the main reason.
Meditation also promotes the building and health of brain cells, maintaining better memory, clarity and focus as we age.
If you are new to meditation, take your pick from thousands of free online guided meditations or invest in a meditation app. This will offer you a wide variety of guided meditations and features alerts and reminders to help you meditate regularly.
4. Avoid Overeating
Research on animals suggests that reducing calorie intake by 10 – 50% could increase life span. Other studies on populations with longer life spans (such as the Japanese) suggest a close relationship between longevity and lower calorie intake.
It’s just good common sense to eat a balanced, healthy diet to avoid illness and to stay healthier.
5. Hyperthermic conditioning
This basically means using a sauna. Hyperthermic conditioning flushes toxins out of the body, improves blood circulation and builds lean muscle, all of which affect longevity.
Beginners should start with 10 minutes then shower and rest for another 10 minutes.
6. Tumeric and longevity
Turmeric is an amazing spice that contains a powerful bioactive compound called curcumin. Curcumin contains potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that are excellent for lung, heart and brain health.
Studies have shown that it increases lifespan on mice and insects. Studies also suggest that it protects against age-related diseases and cancer.
Get creative in the kitchen, check out different recipes and learn to incorporate this amazing spice into as many dishes as you can.
7. A supportive social circle can help you live longer
Studies tell us that we can increase our longevity by up to 50% by maintaining a healthy social circle. Good friendships and strong social networks actually decrease the risks of chronic disease. They also improve heart, hormonal system and immune system functions.
Never ignore the importance of strong, healthy relationships in your life, Cultivate the ones you already have and work on expanding and developing new friendships and supporting relationships.
Living a longer, healthier life is something that we all aspire to – and can easily achieve. With these 7 easy hacks, you can start the process today!