- Smoking accelerates ageing and harm multiple organ systems
- Sitting six to eight hours daily harms glucose metabolism and mitochondrial health
- Chronic unmanaged stress raises cortisol, negatively affecting overall health
Ageing is a natural process, but certain everyday habits can quietly speed it up more than we realise. The choices you make daily can have a lasting impact on how your body ages. While some factors are beyond your control, many lifestyle patterns can be adjusted to support slower ageing.
Dr Jeremy London, a US-based cardiovascular surgeon, revealed five common habits to avoid if you want to protect your heart and maintain long-term vitality.
5 Habits You Should Avoid That Speed Up Ageing
1. Smoking and Vaping
Both smoking and vaping are among the fastest ways to age your body. "Smoking negatively impacts pretty much every organ system in the body. Even smoking at low levels impacts your longevity," the doctor said.
2. Sedentary Lifestyle
Our bodies are designed for movement, but glucose metabolism, mitochondrial health, and overall function can be affected when six to eight hours are spent sitting at work, even with a consistent exercise programme.
3. Chronic Stress
Persistent, unmanaged stress, such as emotional stress and financial worry – where it feels like you can't get your head above water – can take a toll on your ageing process. "High, persistent levels of cortisol and other stress hormones have a negative impact on your overall health," the doctor mentioned.
4. Poor Sleep
Sleep is absolutely foundational for all of us. When we sleep, this is when our bodies recover and have time to repair. Poor sleep impairs DNA repair and hormone regulation. It also disrupts the circadian control of gene expression.
5. Obesity And Poor Diet
Obesity and a poor diet are major drivers of accelerated biological ageing. They often act through chronic inflammation and cellular damage. "The fat around the organs has also been shown to increase inflammation, insulin resistance, and metabolic dysfunction," he concluded.
Making small changes to your daily habits can go a long way in supporting healthier ageing and better heart health.
Also Read: How Kapil Sharma Lost 11 kg In 63 Days: Breaking Down The 21-21-21 Rule
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