Longevity lifestyles: how to live longer — or not

A famous study conducted in California of Seventh Day Adventists found that men who followed the religion’s vegetarian lifestyle lived, on average, 7.28 years longer than other white adults

in the state, while Adventist women on a vegetarian diet lived 4.42 years longer than the average. Eating a vegetarian diet has been shown to lower the risk of obesity, diabetes,

cardiovascular disease and cancer compared to a non-vegetarian diet. Sounds good if you want to extend your years. But for many people, giving up meat is a non-starter. Fortunately, if

munching on kale salad is not your thing, no worries; another study found that maintaining some meat in your diet also increases life expectancy. _You can subscribe here to AARP Experience

Counts, a free e-newsletter published twice a month. If you have feedback or a story idea then please contact us here._ The contradictory studies go to show that you can make an argument for

just about anything. And while we don’t need the American Lung Association to tell us that the risks of cancer, respiratory diseases and heart attacks increase with smoking, some smokers

only quit when their survival depends on it. “Many people use smoking as a way to socially bond and reduce stress,” said Chelsea Azarcon, Naturopathic Medical Doctor (NMD) in the Greater

Sacramento area. “I remember seeing a patient who did not want to quit his habit because it was the only thing he knew how to do with his friends.” But what about activities that are touted

as life-extending? Are they worth it? We looked at a few lifestyle habits that are said to add years to your life — if you’re willing to participate. TENNIS ANYONE? Swimming, running and

walking have all been cited as ways to increase longevity, but tennis, incredibly, adds a whopping 9.7 years to your life, according to the Mayo Clinic. Of course, it comes with a downside.

Janet Pisanic, a 63-year-old mortgage broker and lifelong tennis player, has had multiple medical conditions associated with tennis, including knee surgery, tennis elbow, and other aches and

pains. Still, she is willing to accept the side effects for the overall benefits, including health and an active social scene.