The big five : five simple things you can do to live a longer, healthier life

Summary: "If you adapt these five simple, virtually-free suggestions you will live a longer and healthier life, guaranteed. Each of the recommendations has been proven by an overwhelming number of tests, trials, and studies to increase health and lifespan. There are no gimmicks, no catches, no ifs, ands, or buts. Number one on the list: Drink coffee. Coffee appears to offer substantial protection against liver cirrhosis, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, Parkinson's disease, cognitive decline and dementia, gallstones, tooth decay, and a host of common cancers. There is no longer any question that vitamin D plays an important role in maintaining good health and may even prevent an array of disease conditions. It is the only supplement that Dr. Chopra takes regularly. "As a physician, perhaps the best advice I can give to my patients is, 'Move! Move! And keep moving." People who exercise regularly live healthier and longer lives. For almost everyone, adding nuts to your regular diet makes good health sense. Meditation, which might be loosely defined as a personal journey into your inner consciousness, is one of the oldest practices of mankind. Scientists are beginning to discover the physiological and neurological benefits of what was considered something that just made people feel better. The five simple actions recommended offer more proven benefits than the latest expensive supplements, fad diets, jazzy exercise programs, and state-of-the-art gym equipment. Dr. Sanjiv Chopra is a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, and he is the the brother of author Deepak Chopra"--Provided by publisher.