Story at-a-glance Recent research shows that adults in their mid-60s with healthier diets and lifestyle habits had significantly lower rates of hip fractures and cardiovascular-related deaths Diet quality has the biggest impact on long-term health, especially when focused on whole, unprocessed foods rather than processed meats, refined grains, and added sugars Calcium from food sources was associated with lower cardiovascular mortality, while those using calcium supplements faced higher fracture risk, likely due to prior fractures and poor nutrient balance Participants with healthier diets also smoked less, exercised more, and had fewer chronic health conditions It's never too late to adopt healthier habits, but combining multiple healthy practices delivers the greatest benefits for reducing disease risk and extending quality of life