I think it’s safe to say that none of us wants to be pushing up daisies anytime soon!

Now there are numerous factors that play into our disease and mortality rates and have an impact on how soon you will get a visit from the grim reaper. 

Although some (such as genetics or congenital diseases) are largely out of our control, there are other factors that you CAN do something about—and likely live much longer as a result!

Here are 10 of the best ways to avoid an early death:

1. Minimize your sugar consumption

Although sugar is associated with excess weight, obesity and diabetes, it also is the major cause of heart disease and cancer, it increases your risk of dementia and weakens your immune functioning. 

Unfortunately, it’s very easy for a person to fall into a trap of eating too much sugar.  It’s even been compared to cocaine in terms of addictiveness!

To help curb your sugar consumption, in addition to avoiding the obvious sweets, stay away from processed foods because they’re loaded with hidden sugar.

Also, avoid starches like pasta and bread which turn to sugar upon digestion.  Concentrate on meats, healthy fats and vegetables.    

And drink water instead of soda or sports drinks. 

2. Get enough Vitamin D

Although all the 2,000 or so nutrients in existence are important to your health, vitamin D shines above all the rest.

Here are just some of the ways vitamin D protects your health (and life):

• Heart disease: Vitamin D helps reduce hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart attack and stroke.
• Autoimmune diseases: Vitamin D helps to control inflammatory responses in your body, such as those seen with autoimmune diseases like Crohn’s, MS and lupus.
• Cancer: Vitamin D encourages proper cell metabolism and can help decrease the growth of malignant cells.
• Brain health: Activated Vitamin D receptors in your brain tissues help increase nerve growth in the brain.
• Blood sugar control: Vitamin D works with calcium to help regulate glucose and insulin levels.

Since food sources of Vitamin D are limited, and many people shun the sun, supplementation is the surest way to know you’re getting enough. 

And for one of the best formulas on the market, try Optimum DK Formula with FruiteX-B!

In addition to getting 5,000 IUs of vitamin D3, you’ll also get the special added benefit of 45 mcg of vitamin K—which also helps prevent atherosclerosis!

3. Get enough Omega-3 essential fatty acids

Omega-3 essential fatty acids are essential for heart and brain health, circulation, memory and control of blood sugar. They're also a natural anti-inflammatory and help to fight inflammatory conditions such as arthritis.

Fatty fish are a great source of Omega-3 EFAs, but many people don’t eat fish nearly often enough to satisfy their body’s Omega-3 needs.

That when a top-quality fish oil supplement like VitalMega-3 can be a big help.

VitalMega-3 provides a health-supporting 1,200 mg of Omega-3 EFAs in every daily two-capsule serving. This includes 600 mg of EPA and 400 mg of DHA—the crucial Omega-3 EFAs that are recommended by many health experts and are especially vital for your brain.

4. Support your gut microbiome

Over and above the obvious nutrient absorption and waste elimination, your gallant gut also performs these crucial jobs:

• Houses most of your immune system
• Helps your body eliminate old cholesterol and hormones (which helps reduce your risk of elevated cholesterol and hormone-related cancers)
• Produces most of your serotonin (your natural anti-depressant)
• Largely controls the inflammation levels in your body
• Kills dangerous pathogens you ingest with your food

To help keep your gut microbiome in a health-enhancing balance, daily probiotic supplementation is essential.

And NOTHING beats Super Shield multi-strain probiotic formula!

The full-spectrum blend of 13 probiotic strains in Super Shield helps protect your and repopulate your supply of beneficial bacteria, so it can in turn help keep you healthy and, well, alive!

5. Minimize your exposure to chemicals

Replace your toxic household cleaners, soaps, personal care products, air fresheners, sunscreens and bug sprays with non-toxic alternatives.

For example, vinegar and baking soda are great natural household cleaners, essential oils can help repel bugs, and making your own furniture polish with fresh lemon, lemon oil and olive oil cleans your furniture while making the whole house smell great!  

Use 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 2-3 drops of lemon oil, and 2-3 drops of olive oil.  Double or triple the batch as needed.

6. Shake your booty

Nothing beats regular exercise in terms of helping to keep you strong and healthy well into your golden years.

Exercise strengthens your heart, improves circulation, lowers blood pressure, eases arthritis pain, boosts metabolism, improves digestion and reduces stress, among other things.

7. Stay the he#@ away from artificial sweeteners

Studies have long linked aspartame (NutraSweet® and Equal®) to cancer, brain damage, premature delivery in pregnant women, worsening insulin sensitivity, blurred vision, retinal damage and blindness, behavioral disturbances, nerve pain, muscle weakness and memory lapses, to name a few. 

Sucralose (Splenda®) was shown in research involving mice to cause leukemia and other blood cancers. 

And all artificial sweeteners harm your gut microbiome, and when that happens, it’s all downhill from there (I’ll talk more about that in #6).

Use organic raw honey, organic cane sugar, organic real maple syrup or stevia for sweeteners in moderation.

8. Reduce stress

Chronic stress ruins your digestion, causes elevated blood glucose (increasing your risk of Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure), makes your gut microbiome topsy-turvy and can even trigger hormonal imbalances!

Exercise is a great stress reducer, but you can also try:

• Prayer
• Meditation
• Yoga
• Massage
• Counseling or therapy
• Deep breathing
  
  

9. Avoid toxic relationships

It’s estimated that 15 percent of the population has psychotic, anti-social personality disorders, and when you are in a relationship with someone like that, you will repeatedly feel emotionally drained and upset.  Over the long haul, this can have a significant impact on your physical and mental health.

If you are in a toxic relationship, whether it’s a personal relationship or a job situation, it’s time to break free.  Get counseling or whatever help you need.

10. Put kindness into the world

Choose to be kind.

People tend to attract the kind of energy that they give off, so if you choose to be kind, you’re likely to be surrounded by kindness in return.

An act of kindness can go a long way in relieving stress, improving your mood and helping you appreciate your self-worth. 

And it can make a huge difference in someone else’s life too.

To your health,

Sherry Brescia