79-year-old gives 4 tips to stay healthy in old age

Jeffrey Bland is considered the "father of functional medicine." In 1991, he founded the Institute for Functional Medicine to research preventative approaches to healthcare. Functional medicine is an approach that aims to identify and treat the causes of diseases and conditions rather than focusing solely on the symptoms.

Bland turned 79 earlier this year and still practices many of the things he learned to live a long, healthy life. He revealed to CNBC what he does every day to stay healthy.

• Bland starts every morning with a positive attitude and gratitude . "I think you have to start every day with the belief that you're worthy of being healthy," he says.
• He dedicates an hour a day to physical activity , whether through running, aerobics, or Pilates. He recommends keeping a health journal to document eating habits, fitness goals, and daily exercise.
• Another element of his routine is a colorful and nutrient-rich diet . According to Harvard Health Publishing, eating colorful fruits and vegetables reduces the risk of chronic disease.
• Additionally, Bland reserves an hour each day for relaxing reading to calm the mind before bedtime.

The 100-year-old woman is already planning her next adventure: Next, she wants to venture into a shark cage to look a predatory fish in the eyes.

Healthy eating keeps you fit, but which diet is best? In a major study, Harvard scientists searched for the perfect meal plan – and defined basic pillars that can reduce the risk of death by up to 20 percent.

A diet that largely avoids stimulants such as alcohol, processed foods, and sugar, and contains few animal products, focuses on plant-based foods. It includes plenty of vegetables and legumes, as well as high-quality, unsaturated fats from nuts, seeds, and virgin oils.