To live a long and healthy life, the answer can be simple. Eat less and exercise more. Not only does this help avoid weight issues such as obesity that can lead to heart disease, it also helps maintain muscle mass as the body ages. A new study found that a diet light in calories not only supports muscle function, it can also lengthen life span by 35 percent.

Researchers from the University of Calgary studied muscle mass, function and life span in elderly rats fed a diet 40 percent lower in calories from childhood. They found that these rats displayed muscle mass and function similar to 20-year-young rats, and only experienced a 20 percent drop in muscle mass as they aged, with no decline in function.

Note: The researchers DO NOT advise that we, as humans, cut our dietary intake by 40 percent-- which could possibly be dangerous to our muscle mass. They DO recommend eating a healthy diet without over-indulging, and exercising regularly to maintain muscle mass and function.