Having Large Breasts.
The study: A woman with very large breasts can lose five years off her expected lifespan
The reasoning: The extra weight these women have to carry around leads to joint pain, headaches, reconstructive surgery, obesity and diabetes, the study showed.
You need to read this. Otherwise you might die. Seriously, I had no idea about some. I only hope you thank me when you’re done.
Early Retirement.
The study: People who retired at age 55 were 89 percent more likely to die within 10 years than people who retired at age 65.
The reasoning: Researchers at the Shell corporation attributed it to the possible poor health of early retirees, but inactivity and lack of purpose could also play important roles.
Red Meat.
The study: People who had at least four ounces of red or processed meat per day were 30 percent more likely to die earlier.
The reasoning: Red and processed meat intakes were associated with modest increases in total mortality, cancer mortality and cardiovascular disease mortality,” the study said.
The study: Watching two hours of T.V. per day could take 1.4 years off your life.
The reasoning: A BMJ Open study on “sedentary behavior” showed that too much time just lounging around will ultimately lead to an earlier death
Over Sleeping.
The study: A six-year sleep study conducted by the University of California involving 1.1 million patients showed that people who slept eight hours a day died younger than people who slept six or seven hours per day.
The reasoning: Oversleeping has been associated with diabetes, headaches, depression and heart disease.
Microwave Popcorn.
The study: Microwave popcorn can lead to a lung condition that can shorten your life.
The reasoning: A chemical called diacetyl that helps give microwave popcorn its buttery flavor can lead to a severe lung condition if it’s consumed too much.
Taking Sleeping Pills.
The study: Patients who were regularly prescribed sleeping pills were 4.6 times more likely to die earlier than people who did not take sleeping pills. Even users who took as few as four pills a year were 3.6 times more likely to encounter an earlier death.
The reasoning: The dangerous ingredients in these pills, which include benzodiazepines, barbiturates and sedatives.
Sitting In Traffic.
The study: A longer daily commute leads to a long list of diseases and health issues, shortening your life.
The reasoning: All the stress and inactivity partially caused higher waist circumferences, higher blood pressure and larger body mass indices.
Being Macho.
The study: Men who subscribed to rigid, traditional gender beliefs, like men having to work while women become homemakers, were 46 percent less likely than other men to get life-prolonging health care.
The reasoning: “Men die earlier because of poor lifestyle choices, most of which are rooted in the destructive rules of traditional masculinity,” Hugo Schwyzer at Alternet wrote.
Forgetting To Floss.
The study: Not flossing on a regular basis won’t just put you at risk for gum disease; it also puts you at risk for cardiovascular disease, which could take as many as six years from your life.
The reasoning: “The chronic, low level of inflammation [in gum disease] may be enough to bother the blood vessels and help trigger vascular disease,” said Neal Weintraub, the lead author in the study.
Well, too much of that applies to me. Excuse me while I go count down my final days.
Don’t forget taxes. Death and taxes are inexorably linked.