Healthy living slows cell ageing
Research has found that increasing exercise and eating a healthy diet may help guard against age-related cell damage.
A team from the Preventive Medicine Research Institute in California asked 24 men to take part in a three-month trial during which they comprehensively altered their lifestyles.
As part of the trial the men increased their intake of fruit and vegetables, took supplements of vitamins and fish oils, carried out exercise regimes, attended classes in stress management, and practised relaxation techniques.
At the end of the study, levels of the enzyme telomerase, which is vital in protecting the body’s cells, had increased by 29 per cent.
Telomerase repairs and lengthens telomeres, which cap and protect the ends of chromosomes housing DNA. Telomeres shorten with age and cells become more likely to die. Damaged and dead cells cause ageing and disease.
The Government are currently striving to promote the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle by encouraging exercise and a balanced diet.
In line with this, Westfield Health has developed a range of benefits to help policyholders to maintain a healthy mind and body.
Westfield’s Good4you and Advantage Plans include a health club concession benefit, which offers special concessionary deals at a network of UK health and fitness clubs.
An innovative 24-hour GP telephone consultation service is also available. Policyholders can call a fully qualified GP at any time of day and from anywhere in the world, for advice on a range of health issues including exercise and nutrition.
The Foresight Plan’s Fitness and Wellbeing module offers the same benefits.
Read more about the Good4you Plan:
http://www.westfieldhealth.com/individual-health-plans/health-cash-plan.asp
Read more about the Advantage Plan:
http://www.westfieldhealth.com/corporate-health-plans/advantage/index.asp
Read more about the Foresight Plan:
http://www.westfieldhealth.com/corporate-health-plans/foresight/index.asp
Read more about this story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7616660.stm
© Westfield Health Insurance 2012
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