ADVISORY/What Does It Take to be Like John Glenn? The Right Stuff for Healthy Aging.

--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Pilot, astronaut, public servant--John Glenn is an American hero and a spectacular, international symbol of healthy aging.

So what does it take to live healthier longer? Lifestyle choices are critical. John Glenn exercises regularly, eats well, doesn't smoke and has continued to pursue new physical and intellectual challenges well into his eighth decade. John Glenn has the Right Stuff for Healthy Aging. Do you?

Much of the Right Stuff for Health Aging sounds like common sense, but in fact scientific research into the aging process has revealed several aspects of a healthy lifestyle that can prevent many of the diseases and conditions associated with age. These include regular exercise, a balanced, low-fat diet, not smoking and a positive mental, social and intellectual outlook.

Here are just a few examples of the research that has been done to help us all have the Right Stuff as we grow older.

- Exercise

Research indicates that exercise helps prevent heart disease,

high blood pressure, and the tendency toward diabetes. Newer

studies also point to the role that physical activity plays in

decreasing the risk of problems as diverse as some cancers,

diabetes, arthritis and osteoporosis.

- Diet and Nutrition

As we age, our metabolism slows. Along with exercise, therefore,

a sensible, low-fat diet is critical to preventing obesity and

the wealth of health problems--from coronary disease to

diabetes--that accompany obesity. As to nutrition, research

indicates that older people need to follow the same general

guidelines proposed to younger adults. Still, some studies do

point out that older people can benefit from calcium and vitamin

D supplements to slow osteoporosis and aspirin, folic acid, and

anti-oxidants (particularly vitamins E and C) to fight heart and

other diseases.

- Smoking

Cigarette smoking and other tobacco use significantly increase

the risk of lung cancer and other lung diseases, coronary heart

disease, stroke, and other life threatening illnesses. The good

news is that research indicates that quitting smoking reduces the

risk of death from heart disease by at least 50%. The risk of

stroke drops quickly when cigarette smoking stops, as well. The

risk of lung cancer also begins to fall when smoking stops,

though much more slowly. But the good news remains; when you

quit, your lungs begin to heal, and the risk of lung disease

begins to drop.

- A positive Mental, Social, and Intellectual Outlook

Mental ability and social relationships are critical factors in

healthy aging. The link between mind and body is a powerful one.

Studies indicate that those individuals who maintain an active

social and intellectual life are more likely to retain their

physical health. Conversely, a recent report in Circulation,

found that men who had the highest anger scores on a personality

test had a three-fold higher risk of developing heart disease.

For more information about the Right Stuff for Healthy Aging after the John Glenn launch, contact Peter Cleary at the American Federation for Aging Research, 18th Floor, 1414 Avenue of the Americas, New York, N.Y. 10019. Telephone [phone]. E-mail: [e-mail] Web: www.afar.org. Also ask for copies of a public service announcement recorded by John Glenn promoting the virtues of healthy aging and the American Federation for Aging Research.

The American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR) is a leading, national nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting biomedical and clinical aging research. Founded in 1981, AFAR has provided more than $32 million to more than 1,000 medical students and researchers. Please visit our website (www.afar.org) for more information about AFAR.