Heart disease is the world's biggest killer, claiming 17.5 million lives annually.
But now scientists studying an ancient Amazonian tribe - in which the disease is almost non-existent - have discovered the secret to adding years or even decades to people's lives.
The Tsimane tribe in Bolivia follow a simple lifestyle that all but elminates the process of atherosclerosis, when arteries become narrowed by a gradual build-up of fatty material. This is usually triggered by smoking, type 2 diabetes, being overweight or obese and being physically inactive.
The Tsimane have the healthiest arteries of any population ever studied worldwide and are incredibly active, with almost no sedentary lifestyles.
And analysis of the findings suggests that following a simple 10-point-plan could reduce your risk of developing heart disease to almost zero.
THE 10 STEP PLAN TO ELIMINATE YOUR RISK OF HEART DISEASE
- Men should take 17,000 steps-a-day, women 16,000.
- Eat mainly non-processed carbs high in fibre, like corn, rice, potatoes, nuts and whole fruit.
- Limit your total fat intake to 38g per day.
- Limit your saturated fat intake to 11g per day.
- Men should do some physical activity for a minimum of seven hours-a-day, women six.
- Only spend 10 per cent of the day completely inactive.
- Eat lean meat and fish, in moderation.
- Don't smoke and drink alcohol only in moderation.
- Remain active as you grow older. Over 65s should still take 15,000 steps every day.
- Socialise. Living in a more social community and have a positive life outlook helps your heart.
Taken together, the 10 steps mimic the behavioural and dietary patterns of the Tsimane tribe, which when combined with effective western healthcare could slash people's risk of serious ilness or death from heart-related diseases.
US lead scientist Professor Hillard Kaplan, from the University of New Mexico, said: "Our study shows that the Tsimane indigenous South Americans have the lowest prevalence of coronary atherosclerosis (hardening and narrowing of the arteries) of any population yet studied.
"Their lifestyle suggests that a diet low in saturated fats and high in non-processed fibre-rich carbohydrates, along with wild game and fish, not smoking and being active throughout the day could help prevent hardening in the arteries of the heart.
"The loss of subsistence diets and lifestyles could be classed as a new risk factor for vascular ageing and we believe that components of this way of life could benefit contemporary sedentary populations."
The findings contrast with the prevalence of heart disease among those with a more sedentary lifestyles in developed countries.
Researchers found the tribe spend most of the day hunting, fishing, farming and gathering wild fruits and nuts.
After studying hundreds of men and women, it was revealed nine out of ten had clear arteries with no risk of heart disease.
The research highlighted how simple lifestyle and diet changes hold the key to maintaining a healthy heart. Even in old age most remained in astonishingly good health.
Almost two thirds of people aged over 75 were nearly risk free and just eight per cent had a moderate-to-high risk level.
One 80-year-old in the tribe had arteries resembling those of Americans in their mid-fifties.
The researchers visited 85 Tsimane villages between 2004 and 2015 and measured heart disease risk by carrying out CT (computed tomography) X-ray scans on 705 adults aged 40 to 94.
Similar scans of nearly 7,000 Americans in a previous study showed that only 14% had no risk of heart disease with more than half at moderate or high risk.
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