A study published in the prestigious medical journal "The Lancert" shows that the world average life expectancy has been increased by seven years in the past 20 years.   Researchers pointed out that how long a person can live depends on both his genetics (30%) and lifestyle (70%).   Doing the following may help you to live longer.  Some risk factors for a short lifespan are stress, obesity, sugar and meat consumption and exposure to cadmium.

Reduce stress or stress management: +10 years

A study compared mothers who had sick children and mothers who had healthy children and found the former had significantly longer telomere length than the latter.  The telomere length is an indicator for how long a person may live.  The longer the telomere length, the longer he may live.  The study found mothers who had sick children 10 years older than those with healthy children.  Stress must be controlled and managed to slow the aging process.

Weight loss: +8 years

The journal Lancet: Diabetes and Endocrinology published a study to indicate that obesity may shorten a person's life-span by up to 8 years.  Researchers believe that being obese is as harmful as smoking.

Stop drinking carbonated sweetened beverages or soft drinks: +5 years

A study published in American Public Health shows that drinking 20 fl oz. or 600 ml carbonated beverages can shorten one's life span by about five years.  Researchers found that soft drinks or carbonated sweetened beverages contain high concentrations of sugar and long term consumption of these beverages can significantly shorten the telomere length and speed up the aging process.

Eating more fish: +1 year

The greatest benefit from eating fish is intake of abundant omega-3 fatty acids which helps the brain.  North Carolina researchers have found that eating fish once a week, elderly people slowed their cognitive decline by 1.6 years.  Fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids include salmon, sardine, and tuna.

Eating less sugar: +5 years

Research shows that nearly 30% Americans live with type 2 diabetes mellitus or prediabetes.  This metabolic condition in many cases results from consumption of too much sugar.   A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine suggests that diabetes can make the brain five years older and fasten cognitive decline.

Eating less meat, but more plant-based foods:  +11 years

Research published in Cellular Metabolism shows that compared to those eating plant-derived protein, those who ate animal protein were at 75% increased risk of premature death.   High intake of animal protein increases risk of cancer by 4-fold in people aged 65 years or younger and increases death risk from diabetes mellitus by 5-fold.

Avoid exposure to cadmium: +11 year

Cadmium - a heavy element is highly toxic.  Research published in American Epidemiology found populations exposed to high concentrations of cadmium, compared with those exposed to low concentrations of cadmium,  had a significantly shorter telomere length, an equivalent to 11-year reduction in a person's lifespan.

The major sources of cadmium are smokes, contaminated fruits and vegetables, and living in the industrial areas.

Smoking cessation: +10 years

Oxford University researchers found that on average, people who were smoking died 10 years earlier than those who did not smoke.  If one can quit smoking before the age of 40 years, his risk of premature death can be reduced by 90% and if he can quit smoking before 30, then his risk can be reduced by 97%.  (David Liu)