Healthy carbs promote healthy aging

You know that a glazed donut loaded with refined carbs and sugars isn't doing anything to improve your daily nutrition. But what's the impact of such a routine over three decades? That's what researchers from Tufts and Harvard wanted to know. So, they analyzed data from the Nurses Health Study that looked at the nutritional habits and health outcomes of more than 47,000 women.

Turns out that when you're middle-aged, eating unrefined carbs, loaded with fiber, found in 100% whole grains, fruits and vegetables, increases your likelihood of healthy aging by a whopping 37%. (Healthy aging was defined as the absence of 11 major chronic diseases, lack of cognitive problems and impaired physical function, and good mental health.) Conversely, eating refined carbs and a few grains, fruits or vegetables robs you of years of good health.

Want to increase that 37% improvement in your chances for a younger, healthier second half of your life?

-- Add 10,000 steps (or equivalent) to your daily routine, along with two strength-building workouts a week.

-- Talk to your doc about taking bovine colostrum and omega-3s supplements, plus baby aspirin or colchicine to fight inflammation and boost immune strength.

-- Get recommended annual check-ups, vaccines and screenings, like mammograms and prostate-specific antigen blood tests.

-- Get seven to nine hours of sleep nightly.

-- Cultivate a posse and a purpose.

-- Keep your eye on the cutting-edge developments, like therapeutic plasma exchange (see LifespanEdge.com for a summary of all data), which may improve your quality of life and extend your lifespan, that are outlined in my book "The Great Age Reboot. "

Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.longevityplaybook.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@longevityplaybook.com.

(c)2023 Michael Roizen, M.D.

Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

(c) 2025 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.