Live Younger Longer

Increased processed foods and calories 
Research shows that ultraprocessed
foods account for almost 60% of the calories and 90% of the added sugars
in a typical American diet. And, along with restaurant meals, processed
foods account for about 70% of the sodium in an American diet. The result
is an increased risk of high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure, obesity,
kidney disease and more. In fact, in the most recent report on the state of
health in the U.S., experts listed diet as the No. 1 risk factor for premature
death among American adults, primarily related to heart disease.
Less rest 
Nearly 40% of adults surveyed reported being so tired that they
fall asleep during the day without meaning to at least once per month. Sleep
allows your body to rejuvenate itself and heal damaged cells and tissues.
Persistent lack of sleep prevents these processes. Ongoing sleep deficiency
can downgrade your immune system. It has been linked to an increased risk
of heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes and
stroke.
More stress 
To many people, chronic stress feels like a normal or even
necessary part of modern life. They think that something so common and
universal can’t be all that bad. After all, everyone they know is exposed to
stress every day. But long-term activation of the stress response system and
overexposure to cortisol and other stress hormones can disrupt key body
processes. It can increase your risk of anxiety, depression, insomnia, weight
gain, high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.

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Adding a teaspoon of sugar every day to your car’s fuel tank will ruin the engine.
Regularly eating saturated fats will clog up your bloodstream with cholesterol (see
sample on left).
Lack of support 
In addition, a lack of social support can lead to isolation
and loneliness — which are associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular
disease, high blood pressure, a weakened immune system and other health
problems.