12 surprising signs you’ll live to 100

You're the life of the party
Outgoing people are 50 percent less likely to develop dementia, according to a recent study of more than 500 men and women age 78 and older from the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. Participants also described themselves as not easily stressed.

You run for 40 minutes a day
Scientists in California found that middle-aged people who did just that — for a total of about 5 hours per week — lived longer and functioned better physically and cognitively as they got older; the researchers tracked runners and nonrunners for 21 years.

You like raspberries in your oatmeal
Most Americans eat 14 to 17 g of fiber per day; add just 10 g and reduce your risk of dying from heart disease by 17 percent, according to a Netherlands study. Dietary fiber helps reduce total and LDL ("bad") cholesterol, improve insulin sensitivity, and boost weight loss. One easy fix: Top your oatmeal (½ cup dry has 4 g fiber) with 1 cup of raspberries (8 g) and you get 12 g of fiber in just one meal.

You feel 13 years younger than you are
That's what older people in good health said in a recent survey of more than 500 men and women age 70 and older. Feeling youthful is linked to better health and a longer life. It can improve optimism and motivation to overcome challenges, which helps reduce stress and boost your immune system and ultimately lowers your risk of disease."

You embrace techie trends
Learn to Twitter or Skype to help keep brain cells young and healthy. Many of the oldest Americans send e-mails, Google lost friends, and even date online. Researchers say using the latest technology helps keep us not only mentally spry but socially engaged: Stay connected to friends, family, and current events, and you feel vital and relevant.

You started menopause after age 52
Studies show that naturally experiencing it later can mean an increased life span. One reason: Women who go through menopause late have a much lower risk of heart disease.

You make every calorie count
Researchers in St. Louis reported that men and women who limited their daily calories to 1,400 to 2,000 (about 25 percent fewer calories than those who followed a typical 2,000-to 3,000-calorie Western diet) were literally young at heart — their hearts functioned like those of people 15 years younger. It's about not just eating less but getting the most nutrition per calorie. Study subjects stuck to vegetables, whole grains, fat-free milk, and lean meat and nixed white bread, soda, and candy. If you cut empty calories and eat more nutrient-rich foods, your health will improve. To find out how many calories you need to maintain a healthy weight, go to prevention.com/caloriecalculator.

You had a baby later in life
If you got pregnant naturally after age 44, you're about 15 percent less likely to die during any year after age 50 than your friends who had their babies before age 40, reports a recent University of Utah study.

Your pulse beats 15 times in 15 seconds
That equates to 60 beats per minute — or how many times a healthy heart beats at rest. Most people have resting rates between 60 and 100 bpm, though the closer to the lower end of the spectrum, the healthier. A slower pulse means your heart doesn't have to work as hard and could last longer.

You don't snore
Snoring is a major sign of obstructive sleep apnea, a disorder that causes you to stop breathing briefly because throat tissue collapses and blocks your airway. Sleep apnea can cause high blood pressure, memory problems, weight gain, and depression. An 18-year study found that people without OSA were 3 times more likely to live longer than those with severe apnea. If you snore and have excessive daytime drowsiness or mood changes, talk with your doctor about a referral to a sleep center.

You have a (relatively) flat belly after menopause
Women who are too round in the middle are 20 percent more likely to die sooner (even if their body mass index is normal), according to a National Institute on Aging study. At midlife, it takes more effort to keep waists trim because shifting hormones cause most extra weight to settle in the middle.

You get your blood tested for vitamin D levels
For optimal disease protection, we need at least 30 nanograms of vitamin D per milliliter of blood, reports a study in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Nearly 80 percent of Americans have less than that. Vitamin D not only helps bones ward off osteoporosis but may also reduce your risk of cancer, heart disease, and infection. If needed, you can take a daily supplement to get your numbers up. Doctors can measure your levels with a simple blood test, but periodic monitoring may be necessary — vitamin D turns toxic at 100 to 150 ng/mL.

Curry ingredient, Vitamin D may fight alzheimer's disease

A combination of curcumin (a compound found in the curry spice turmeric) and vitamin D could help protect against Alzheimer's disease, according to a recent study.

For the study, researchers worked with blood samples from nine people with Alzheimer's disease, one person with mild cognitive impairment, and three healthy subjects. In tests on isolated cells from the blood samples, the scientists discovered that curcumin and vitamin D together helped clear away amyloid beta (a substance that forms the brain plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease).

Past research shows that reseveratrol (a compound found in grapes and red wine) may help reduce levels of amyloid beta as well. Sticking to a healthy diet high in whole foods (especially fruits and vegetables), exercising regularly, and keeping mentally and socially active as you age may also help stave off Alzheimer's disease.

Health tip: Debunking Diabetes myths

The American Diabetes Association debunks some popular myths about the disease:

* You can't "catch" diabetes from someone else.
* Dessert isn't off-limits forever for all diabetics. While eating too many sugary foods is a bad idea, you can have an occasional dessert, especially if you exercise and otherwise eat healthy.
* Eating too much sugar can't "cause" diabetes. The disease stems from genetic and lifestyle factors.
* Carbohydrates and starches (bread, potatoes, pasta) aren't off-limits, but healthy portion sizes are important.
* Diabetics aren't more susceptible to colds and other illnesses.
* Insulin doesn't cause hardening of the arteries or high blood pressure.
* Fruit, while healthy, can't be consumed in huge amounts, since it contains carbohydrates.

Healthy habits to help prevent Alzheimer's

People may be able to reduce their risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, according to two recently published studies that are the latest in a long line of research. But does that hold for everyone? And by how much can you lower the risk? Here's a look at the facts.

High blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, smoking and high-fat diets have all been associated with increasing one's risk. Last week, a paper in the Journal of the American Medical Assn. reported that people eating a so-called Mediterranean diet and exercising regularly were at lower risk -- by as much as 50%.

And in earlier studies, other lifestyle factors -- such as doing the daily crossword puzzle or other intellectually stimulating activities, maintaining an active social life and getting a college education -- have been associated with lowered Alzheimer's risk.

This is not the first study to suggest that diet and physical activity may be protective. The Mediterranean-type diet "combines several foods and nutrients potentially protective against cognitive dysfunction or dementia, such as fish, monounsaturated fatty acids, vitamins B12 and folate, antioxidants (vitamin E, carotenoids, flavonoids), and moderate amounts of alcohol.

Gear guide: A simple way to measure body fat at home

Product: Sequoia Fitness Warrior Digital Body Mass Caliper and Defender Body Fat Caliper

Pros: Both calipers are an inexpensive, relatively simple way to measure body fat at home. The Warrior is very user-friendly, and it also measures lean body mass.

Cons: With both calipers, you need help from another person to do one of the measurements. Beware faulty battery doors on the Warrior, and good luck figuring out what to do with the aforementioned lean body mass number. As for the Defender, the wheel chart is a little hard to read.

Cost: $27 at Amazon.com for the Warrior; $16 at Amazon.com for the Defender.

Extra tip: For the most accurate results, make sure you’re well hydrated before you take your readings.

It’s true that calipers aren’t the most accurate way to measure body fat (getting a DEXA scan at a lab or hospital is, but it’ll set you back several hundred dollars each time you do it), mostly because the person wielding them might not be doing it exactly right. But really, unless you’re an athlete, does it truly matter if your reading is a couple of percentage points off the mark?

Fish oil's heart benefits overwhelming, say docs

Fish oils are so effective at helping protect against heart attacks, they should be taken daily by everyone, say doctors in a new review of the effects of omega-3 fatty acids.

The doctors say their review found that there is now "compelling" evidence that the omega-3 fatty acids in certain fish and other sources not only prevent cardiovascular disease, but may even help treat it.

The strongest evidence of a cardio-protective effect of omega-3s appears in patients with established cardiovascular disease and following a heart attack, with up to a 30 per cent reduction in CV-related death.

Not only can they help heart patients who have already had heart attacks, fish oil can also decrease the risk of atherosclerosis, arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death.

Small move makes tighter abdominal muscles

Slim and tighten your abdominal muscles with this small yet super-effective exercise. Remember to perform these movements with slow, controlled effort. The longer you can hold the "lift," the more benefit you'll receive.

1. Lie on your back on a mat or a padded surface. Place your hands behind your head and raise your legs above your hips. Your knees can bend slightly if your hamstrings are tight.

2. Maintain your balance as you slowly move your arms out in front of you with your palms facing inward. Keep the top of your shoulders pressing down and away from your ears. Raise your sternum without arching your back. Hold this position for three to six breaths.