Eat less red meat. To reduce risk of bowel cancer the British government recommends eating no more than 1 pound of red meat per week or 2.5 ounces per day. In 2005 a European study found people who ate 5.6 ounces of red meat daily increased their risk by 33%. Experts think the pigment in meat damages cells in the digestive system. High levels of meat consumption have also been linked to cancer of the breast, bladder, stomach and pancreas. As of February 2011, the U.S. government hadn't made specific recommendations about red meat - there'd been no "meating" of the minds.
Drink less soda. Researchers from the School of Public Health at London's Imperial College analyzed the diets of approximately 2,700 middle-aged people in the U.K. and U.S. People who drank more than one soda or sugar-sweetened beverage daily had higher blood pressure - the more they drank, the higher their blood pressure. Also, those who drank more than one sugary drink daily consumed about 400 more calories daily and their diets lacked key nutrients like potassium, magnesium and calcium. Unfortunately, diet soda drinkers have problems too - higher body mass index and affected kidneys. Maybe this is where soda drinkers draw the "waterline".
Get 7-8 hours sleep nightly. According to 2011 data from the Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System, 35% of the nearly 75,000 survey participants in 12 states slept less than 7 hours a day and they were likelier to fall asleep while driving. In fact, 5% of the participants said they dozed off while driving at least once a month. Those surveyed who were ages 25-34 were likelier to nod off while driving and men were likelier than women. Unfortunately, those who don't understand the consequences of not getting enough sleep are likelier to get a "crash course" in sleep deprivation.
Have a positive attitude. A review of more than 160 studies on the connection between a positive attitude, health and longevity was published in the journal Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being. "Clear and compelling evidence" showed happy people are healthier and live longer. In one study university students were tracked for more than 40 years and the most pessimistic students died younger. In another study laboratory tests showed positive moods reduced stress-related hormones, increased immune function and helped the heart recover after exertion. So, look on the bright side - even if you have to turn on a light.
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