Meet the 25 men who've fought off strokes, heart disease and dementia

Retirees in Britain may have found the key to a fit and happy old age, after practicing a new health regime for the last 35 years.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Back in 1979, 2,500 men were asked to eat well, work out, drink less, maintain a healthy weight and not smoke.

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Now, only 25 of the original group have stuck to the plan, and they appear to be far healthier and more fit than those who gave it up. In addition, these 25 men have dramatically lowered their risk of cancer, diabetes, heart-attack, stroke and dementia.

Leighton Jones, an 80-year-old retired teacher, rides 35 miles a week around the hills and valleys around his home in South Wales. Every other day he walks two miles.

"I have followed the healthy steps for many years now and feel pretty fit. Cycling keeps my body fit while scrabble keep the mind fit," he said.

"I do have a beer or wine most nights but I drink in moderation."

Ray Grace, also 80, kept up with the health regime. He travels through Wales and western Britain as a referee for college American football matches. He also walks and jogs two miles every day.

"I'll go on as long as I am able to. I've been refereeing for nearly 30 years now and still get a thrill out of it," he said.

"As far as I'm concerned it's been a great success. It has been invaluable for me and I'm pleased to have been part of it. I've stuck pretty well to the healthy lifestyle laid down and met with the researchers half a dozen times over the years."

The volunteers gave researchers regular fitness, dietary and health reports. Wives and families helped them complete questionnaires about food frequency.

The researchers recommended that the volunteers walk two or miles each day, cycle 10 or more miles each day, or participate in regular intense exercise.

Every five years the men were re-examined and re-questioned, and had their medical records reviewed to look for cases of diabetes, heart disease or strokes.

Study leader Professor Peter Elwood, of Cardiff University, said: "As a nation, we must wake up to the preventive power of living a healthy life," said the study's lead, Professor Peter Elwood of Cardiff University.

"Thirty years ago, only 25 men in our study followed all five of our recommended healthy steps. Following these steps did not give them complete protection against disease but the men who developed a disease, did so at a much older age than the men neglectful of their lifestyle.

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"The development of heart disease was delayed by up to 12 years, and it was up to around an additional six years before dementia took its grip."

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