The incidence of lifestyle diseases is rapidly rising in the United States, thousands and thousands of deaths occur each year as a result of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, cancer and obesity. The healthcare industry and researchers now realize that these diseases can be significantly improved , prevented or reversed with healthy lifestyle choices.
The United States of America is ranked 26th among the 34 top nations in the world in good health and years of healthy life expectancy. The United States Of America is a leader in scientific research, technology, pharmaceutical companies , large hospital and finest doctors. Why then is America not leading in health and longevity? Could it be that our Western lifestyle (sedentary lifestyle and a diet high in animal fat, processed meats, processed grains and snack foods) is destroying good health in this country?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, in 2011 there were 787,000 deaths as a result of heart disease and stroke. Cancer is a second leading cause of death in the United States it is estimated that in 2015, 1,658,320 people will be diagnosed with cancer and there will be an estimated 589,000 deaths. The incidence of diabetes is at an all time high, one in every three people in the United States is either diabetic or pre-diabetic, however in the year 2020 that number will be increased to 1 in every 2 persons ( 50% of all American will either be diabetic or pre-diabetic ). The incidence of obesity is at an astounding high with more than 2/3 of US adults are overweight or obese, and childhood is at an all time high. If this trend continues our children’s life span will be much shorter than that of the parents.
In 2012 the United States healthcare’s spending was 3.8 t dollars but yet people remain sick and are dying just the same. Could poor lifestyle habits be the leading cause for the healthcare problem in the United States? Is there any hope for this healthcare crisis? The solution is not another pill. Researchers are now confirming that reducing the intake of animal products , refined and snack foods and increasing the intake of fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains coupled with daily physical exercise could greatly improve, prevent or reverse some of these chronic lifestyle diseases. Diseases such as diabetes, coronary artery disease, obesity, hypertension and even some cancers are classified as lifestyle diseases.
An article was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association July 2013 showing that the leading risk factor of early death in the USA and other western countries was dietary factor. The number one risk factor for early death is our western diet. The type of food that you consume could either promote good health or may increase the risk of chronic diseases: Hippocrates, one of the fathers of medicine rightly states “ Let food be thy MEDICINE and thy Medicine be food “. Researchers have placed nutritional risk factors into 2 groups.
A Diet high in:
Refined grain such as white bread , white rice, pasta and snack foods .
Red and processed meats
Sugar sweetened beverages and other sweets
Sodium and salt
A Diet low in:
Fruits and vegetables
Whole grains bread and cereal
Nuts and seeds
Dietary fibers found in legumes, peas and beans
Healthy or essential fatty acids such as polyunsaturated and omega-3 fats.
There are other lifestyle habits that promote health and longevity:
Regular physical exercise, it is believed that 30 minutes of daily moderate exercise will decrease your risk of many chronic diseases and death.
Abstaining from tobacco smoking .
Maintaining a healthy weight with a BMI of less than 30.
Reducing the intake of alcohol and caffeinated drinks.
Stress management and optimism.
Adequate rest.
It is believed that a person could cut his risk of chronic diseases and death by 50-63% just by adopting a healthy nutritional plan (vegan diet has the best outcome) coupled with any one of the above mentioned healthy lifestyle habits. If you indeed want to change your health destiny then take the test , assess your lifestyle. Is your lifestyle healthy? Are you taking too many medications? What is your health goal for the future? If you want to enjoy good health, a happier and longer life then CHANGE LIFESTYLE and GAIN HEALTH!