Four specific health behaviors have  been identified as reducing the risk of stroke in men and women.  Researchers from the University of East Anglia (United Kingdom) studied 20,040 men and women, ages 40 to 79 years, with no known stroke or myocardial infarction at the study’s start in 1993. Subjects were followed for 14 years.  The team observed clear benefits of four specific health behaviors, namely: current non-smoking, not being physically inactive, moderate alcohol intake (1-14 units a week), and having a plasma concentration of vitamin C levels at/above 50 micromol/L (suggesting a daily fruit/vegetable intake of 5 servings a day).  All combined, these four health behaviors combined predict more than a twofold difference in incidence of stroke in men and women.

Lifestyle choices including not smoking, eating fresh foods, engaging in regular exercise, minimizing psychological stress, and drinking in moderation are basic tenets of the anti-aging lifestyle.  By embracing these concepts, not only might we extend how long we may live, but improve how well – by maximizing our healthspan --  the length of time that we are able to live productively and independently.