Longevity Factors

In a study of older adults, with 1,507 participants over the age of 71, researchers examined 186 variables that relate to longevity.  The demographics of the participants were 65% female, 53% black, and 47% white.  The researchers studied the 2-year, 5-year, and 10-year longevity of the participants.

The strongest determinants of longevity were physical function, fewer years of smoking, and greater concentrations of small high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles.  HDL is the beneficial type of cholesterol, and the researchers theorize that the small HDL particles help reduce inflammation and clear toxins from the system.

Exercise is one of the most effective ways to increase your HDL and decrease your LDL, which is known as bad cholesterol.  In 3-6 months, exercise can decrease your LDL by up to 15%.  In 9 months, exercise can increase your HDL by up to 20%.

Takeaway: The capacity for physical activity was the strongest predictor of longevity in this study.  Make time for exercise.

Well-being is a journey, not a quick fix

Sources

Virginia Byers Kraus, et al., Causal Analysis Identifies Small HDL Particles and Physical Activity as Key Determinants of Longevity of Older Adults, eBioMedicine, Sept 28, 2022, Causal analysis identifies small HDL particles and physical activity as key determinants of longevity of older adults - eBioMedicine (thelancet.com)

Kara Mayer Robinson, Exercise and Cholesterol: How Much is Enough?, WebMD, Apr 22, 2014, Exercise and Cholesterol: How Much Is Enough? (webmd.com).