CHICAGO: 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, type 2 diabetes, heart-attack, stroke and dementia.
The volunteers 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 type 2 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…
