While Anglos tend to know more about what makes good diet and nutrition, Mexican American consumption typically includes more vegetables, legumes, and leaner meats. All this combined equals a formula for a longer, healthier life that requires less medical care in old age, says Hayes-Bautista. It may also be a helpful model for the rest of the population. According to the research team, men who exercised more showed lower levels of leptin in their blood despite their body weight. Though high levels of the leptin hormone reduced the weight of lab rats, it has the opposite effect on humans.
Regular exercise reduces leptin levels, and less leptin equals a leaner body.
In turn, a body with less fat runs a lower risk of getting a serious illness, such as heart disease. In the long run, living smart now will lead to a better post-retirement life. A great way to explore it is by boat and with a knowledgeable guide. Get out and walk on tropical beaches without anyone else in sight. Maybe you will come upon a hundred butterflies, just as I did.