PROVEN WAYS TO LIVE LONGER & HEALTHIER

Feel your absolute best for years to come with these simple strategies

- BRENDA KEARNS

KEEPS YOUR HEART STRONG

Pumpkin

The in-season gourd is rich in plant pigments that soak into blood-vessel walls, where they speed the breakdown of tissueaging inflammation, say University of Colorado scientists. Enjoy 1/2 cup of pumpkin daily to cut your risk of plaque buildup and artery stiffening by 80%. And by keeping the arteries that nourish your heart in peak shape, you'll add 12 healthy years to your life!

MAXIMIZES METABOLISM

Swinging your hips

The fat-burning furnaces in cells (called mitochondria) can slow down over the years, making it easy to gain weight-and difficult to lose it. Dancing can help! A Polish study suggests moving to music for 15 minutes daily signals mitochondria to burn fat at a youthful speed, preventing weight gain and helping you lose weight as effectively as if you jogged. Bonus: Dancing keeps your brain's balance control center young, helping you stay sure-footed on any terrain.