A 78-year-old doctor explained: These 7 foods make you 20 years younger.
Dr. Michael Roizen, director of the Cleveland Clinic and known for his work on healthy living, stated that his biological age, based on the health of his organs, is 57.6 years old. This means he is 20 years younger than his actual age. (It's also worth noting that scientists haven't reached a full consensus on the precise definition of biological age.)
Roizen stated that small lifestyle changes can make a big difference, saying, "You don't have to adopt a completely new lifestyle; you can improve your health even with small but effective steps." Here are six steps Roizen recommends for a healthy life:
Dr. Roizen's first recommendation is to increase daily movement. He says he tries to take 10,000 steps every day, adding that he parks his car at the farthest point from work and walks.
Research shows that even if you don't reach your 10,000-step goal, regular exercise has significant health benefits. A 2023 study from the University of Cambridge found that people who walked briskly for 75 minutes a week had a significantly reduced risk of death and disease.
Roizen highlights seven foods in particular for a healthy life: olive oil, salmon, trout, dark chocolate, mushrooms, avocado, and cauliflower. He recommends that those who can't consume all of these foods prioritize salmon, avocado, and olive oil at the very least.
Scientific studies also support this recommendation. For example, it's been reported that consuming more than half a tablespoon of olive oil a day significantly reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer-related death.
According to Dr. Roizen, friendships and social connections are one of the joys of living a healthy and long life. Research shows that strong social connections have as much impact on health as healthy eating and exercise.
Roizen emphasizes the importance of games that encourage the brain to respond more quickly to environmental stimuli. Research suggests that games like "Double Decision" and "Freeze Frame" reduce the risk of dementia. A 2017 study found that older adults who regularly play these games have a 29 percent reduced risk of dementia.
While there are differing opinions in the scientific community about the benefits of multivitamins, Dr. Roizen states that he takes multivitamins to maintain his overall vitamin levels. However, large-scale studies have not definitively linked multivitamins to longevity.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone over 6 months get a flu shot every year.
Dr. Roizen says the flu vaccine not only protects against infection but may also help reduce the risk of dementia in older adults.
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