Lifestyle and mental health top contributors to long life

By Ira Zunin

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Oct 27, 2012

~~<p>Many of us have heard the story of gritty Uncle Kimo who lived to a ripe old age even though he ate poorly, never exercised, smoked and drank up until the day he died. Unfortunately, Kimo is an exception.</p>
<p>While our genetic heritage is a major determinant of how healthy we are and how long we live, research has shown that lifestyle has a greater impact still. What matters is that lifestyle is the place we can make a difference in how well we feel and for how long.</p>
~~

Many of us have heard the story of gritty Uncle Kimo who lived to a ripe old age even though he ate poorly, never exercised, smoked and drank up until the day he died. Unfortunately, Kimo is an exception.

While our genetic heritage is a major determinant of how healthy we are and how long we live, research has shown that lifestyle has a greater impact still. What matters is that lifestyle is the place we can make a difference in how well we feel and for how long. Login for more...