Active living may promote longevity, researchers say


The secret to longevity may not be so mysterious after all.


AARP Bulletin Today recently interviewed Dr Robert Butler, one of the most esteemed experts in the country on aging, and his advice was simple - take part in active living.


Butler, who is 83 years old and founder of The National Institute on Aging, recommends that people constantly engage in new, challenging activities.


Active living may promote longevity, researchers say For example, seniors who take up new hobbies and pastimes are less likely to need Alzheimer's care, he says.


Also, Butler advises people to stay in shape throughout their entire lives.


"One of the most frightening disabilities of old age, aside from dementia, is frailty," Butler told the news outlet. "If you keep your thigh muscles strong, do squats every day, that can make a huge difference. Those are the muscles you need to get up out of a chair or bed on your own, to keep your independence."


According to the Center for Disease Control, the average lifespan in the United States is 77.7 years. However, Butler insists that more than 17 percent of 65-year-old-men can expect to live over the age of 90. For women, the statistics are even higher - 31 percent are predicted to live past their octogenarian years.



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