How to live longer: 'I'm a doctor - patients who fail this 10-second test have an 84% higher risk of dying in the next 7 years' ()
<iframe frameborder="0" height="100%" scrolling="no" src="https://www.gbnews.com/res/scraper/embed/?video_url=https%3A%2F%2Fmm-v2.simplestream.com%2Fiframe%2Fplayer.php%3Fkey%3D3Li3Nt2Qs8Ct3Xq9Fi5Uy0Mb2Bj0Qs%26player%3DGB003%26uvid%3D52791309%26type%3Dvod%26viously_id%3DSfyRzdnXVtF" width="100%"></iframe><br/><p>Disease prevention is key to longevity, but those with better grip strength also age more slowly, research shows.</p><p>Two simple tests performed at home could reveal more about your longevity than you might expect, as scientists argue grip strength and balance as powerful indicators of how well we're ageing.</p><h3></h3><br/><p>Doctor Shai Efrati, Chair of Aviv Clinics' Medical Advisory Board, told GB News: "Two powerful tests for biological age are grip strength and balance. </p><p>"Weak grip is a stronger predictor of early mortality than blood pressure. If you can't stand on one leg for 10 seconds, your risk of dying in the next seven years is significantly higher. These are snapshots of your body's true biological age."</p><h3></h3><br/><div class="embed-latest"></div><h3></h3><br/><img alt="woman stretching and cake with candles" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="9f9f5a9e9ff3e149030d3afb1e7162cf" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="3f0a4" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gbnews.com/media-library/woman-stretching-and-cake-with-candles.jpg?id=59786789&width=980"/><p>While medical check-ups remain important, these at-home methods offer a quick way to gauge aspects of your physical condition that strongly correlate with lifespan. </p><p>The assessments can also be done without special equipment and provide valuable insights into your health trajectory.</p><p><span></span>Understanding these markers can help identify areas for improvement in your health routine.</p><p>Research shows grip strength is strongly correlated with longevity, serving as an even better predictor of early death than blood pressure.</p><h3></h3><br/><div class="embed-dontmiss"></div><h3></h3><br/><p>This is because grip reflects overall muscle strength and function, and a decline in grip strength can indicate a decline in physical function.</p><p>This test can be performed using a household object to assess your relative strength.</p><p><span></span>Balance provides another crucial insight into your ageing process, with a study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine indicating that those unable to stand on one leg face an alarming 84 per cent higher risk of dying over the next seven years.</p><h4>Additional longevity factors:</h4><p>Beyond these physical tests, several lifestyle factors significantly impact how we age. A restful night's sleep is essential, as poor sleep accelerates ageing and weakens the body's ability to heal.</p><h3></h3><br/><div class="embed-mostread"></div><p><strong>LATEST DEVELOPMENTS </strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.gbnews.com/health/how-to-live-longer-life-changes-extend-lifespan" target="_self">How to live longer: 5 lifestyle changes to make now to add up to 14.5 years to your life</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gbnews.com/health/how-to-live-longer-reading-writing-longevity" target="_self">'I'm 81 and a task I've done every morning for the past 50 years has helped me live better'</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gbnews.com/health/how-to-live-longer-neuroscientist-habits" target="_self">'I'm a neuroscientist - centenarians who enjoy the longest lives have two habits in common'</a></li></ul><h3></h3><br/><img alt="Adults engaging in physical activity" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="2490002dd903efc29fe99eda78033904" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="10ba4" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gbnews.com/media-library/adults-engaging-in-physical-activity.jpg?id=59786719&width=980"/><p>Diet plays a crucial role too, with refined carbohydrates significantly contributing to chronic inflammation and potentially shortening lifespans.</p><p>The Mediterranean diet, rich in fish, vegetables, legumes, fruits and nuts, offers a beneficial alternative. </p><p>Physical activity remains one of the most important factors for longevity. Both cardiovascular exercise and strength training are vital for maintaining a youthful body and mind.</p><p>Experts like Dr Efrati suggest remembering numbers or directions instead of automatically reaching for your phone as setting new goals is crucial for maintaining cognitive health.</p>
