Introduction
Weight loss is a critical component of anti-aging. It not only makes you look and feel better, it also helps your body to function at its best. Say’s Dr. Manuel Abreu, whether you are young or old, thin or heavy, there are many reasons why weight loss and anti-aging should go hand in hand:
The importance of weight loss for longevity
Weight loss is an important part of longevity and quality of life.
- A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that losing 5% or more of your body weight can reduce your risk for mortality by up to 30%.
- The National Institutes of Health recommend losing at least 10% of your starting weight as a goal for improved health and longevity, but even smaller amounts can have health benefits if they’re maintained over time.
- One study found that obese people who lost just 5% had better heart function than obese people who didn’t lose any weight at all!
Weight loss and anti-aging go hand-in-hand
Weight loss and anti-aging go hand-in-hand.
- Weight loss can increase muscle mass and strength, which can improve your metabolism.
- Weight loss also improves sleep quality, which reduces stress on the body and helps you feel more energized during the day.
- Losing weight reduces your risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes–and all kinds of other diseases as well!
Weight loss and maintenance make a difference in quality of life
Weight loss is important for your quality of life. It reduces health risks, improves self-esteem and physical functioning, and improves mental health.
- Weight loss reduces the risk for a number of diseases including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke.
- Weight loss also helps you feel better about yourself by improving your self-image and boosting confidence in social situations.
- Weight loss can improve physical function by increasing strength and flexibility as well as reducing pain associated with arthritis or other joint problems by eliminating excess weight that puts pressure on joints when walking around throughout the day (Gardner et al., 2006).
The fountain of youth is within your grasp.
You may have heard that weight loss is one of the best ways to improve your health and quality of life. But did you know that it also has anti-aging benefits?
In a study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, researchers found that people who were obese (with a BMI over 30) had a higher risk for premature death than those who were overweight but not obese. And when compared with non-obese participants, those with obesity were twice as likely to die from cancer or cardiovascular disease during the study period–and four times as likely if they were overweight but not obese!
The researchers concluded: “Our findings provide further justification for efforts aimed at preventing or delaying [the] development [of] excess adiposity among young adults.” In other words: “If we can help people stay leaner throughout adulthood, we could potentially save millions of lives.”
Conclusion
We hope you’re inspired to take charge of your health and make some healthy changes in your life. If you’re ready to get started, we encourage you to find a doctor who will help guide you through the process. Weight loss doesn’t have to be difficult–and it could even save your life!
