[ 2014-12-16 ]

Secret of healthy ageing discovered in ground-breaking 35-year study
Landmark survey of 2,500 men shows how healthy
lifestyle ultimately pays off in old age

London (UK) - 30 Oct 2014 – The Telegraph - The
writer Kingsley Amis once quipped that there was
no pleasure worth giving up for the sake of two
more years in a geriatric home in
Weston-super-Mare.

But for pensioners who have been following a
pioneering health regime for the last 35 years, an
ascetic lifestyle appears to be the secret of a
fit and happy old age.

In 1979, 2,500 men were asked to follow five
simple rules – eat well, work out, drink less,
keep their weight down and never smoke.



Nearly four decades on, just 25 pensioners have
managed to stick to the plan. But they are all far
fitter and healthier than the volunteers who gave
up.

Those who stuck to the plan have dramatically cut
their risk of cancer, diabetes, heart-attack,
stroke and dementia.

Retired teacher Leighton Jones, 80, rides 35 miles
a week around the hills and valleys near his home
in Caerphilly, South Wales and walks up to two
miles every other day.

"I have followed the healthy steps for many years
now and feel pretty fit. Cycling keeps my body fit
while scrabble keep the mind fit,” said Grandad
Mr Jones.

"I do have a beer or wine most nights but I drink
in moderation."

Bachelor Ray Grace, 80, also kept up with the
regime for 35 years. He travels all over Wales and
the West Country refereeing college American
football matches and walks and jogs two miles
every day near his home in the village of
Llanbradach.

He said: "I'll go on as long as I am able to. I've
been refereeing for nearly 30 years now and still
get a thrill out of it."

"As far as I'm concerned it's been a great
success. It has been invaluable for me and I'm
pleased to have been part of it.

"I've stuck pretty well to the healthy lifestyle
laid down and met with the researchers half a
dozen times over the years.”

The volunteers, all from Caerphilly gave
researchers regular reports of their physical
activity, alcohol consumption, and diet. Their
wives and families helped by completing regular
food frequency questionnaires.

The recommended physical activity was to walk two
or more miles to work each day, cycle 10 or more
miles to work each day, or regular "vigorous"
exercise.

Every five years the men were re-questioned and
re-examined along with their medical records to
identify new cases of diabetes, heart disease and
strokes.

The researchers found non-smoking, an acceptable
BMI, a high fruit and vegetable intake, regular
physical activity, and moderate alcohol intake
were associated with reductions in the incidence
of certain chronic diseases.

Study leader Professor Peter Elwood, of Cardiff
University, said: "As a nation, we must wake up to
the preventive power of living a healthy life.

"Thirty years ago, only 25 men in our study
followed all five of our recommended healthy
steps.

"Following these steps did not give them complete
protection against disease but the men who
developed a disease, did so at a much older age
than the men neglectful of their lifestyle.

"The development of heart disease was delayed by
up to 12 years, and it was up to around an
additional six years before dementia took its
grip.

"It shows that following a healthy lifestyle
staves off disease and premature death."

The reduction in cases of dementia was welcomed by
experts yesterday.

Alzheimer's Society Research Communications
Manager Clare Walton said: "We have known for some
time that what is good for your heart is also good
for your head.



"The landmark Caerphilly study, part funded by
Alzheimer's Society, showed that healthy living
can reduce the chances of dementia by up to 60 per
cent."

Dementia expert Professor John Gallacher of
Cardiff University said: "The Caerphilly Study has
made a tremendous contribution to UK Science.

"These are exciting times as we gear-up to do
research that will bring significant public
benefit, helping older people everywhere to have
longer and more satisfying lives."

Source - The Telegraph

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