This month, there is good news and bad news. But, if you know how to look at it, even the bad news is good news. So, it
will be called “good news” and “better news.” First, the “good news.”
Everyone knows that being overweight is a health risk, but few understand how bad the risks actually are. Well, new research published April 29, 2013 in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) studied 6,502 men and what they found was astounding. These men were tracked for 33 years, from the age of 22 until 55. All were born in the same year: 1955.
Results: 48% of those classified as obese at the age of 22 were diagnosed with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, blood clots in the legs or lungs, or had died before reaching age 55.
They were eight times more likely to develop diabetes as their normal weight peers, and four times more likely to get a potentially fatal blood clot (venous thromboembolism). They were also more than twice as likely to develop high blood pressure, have had a heart attack, or to have died.
The study concluded: “In this cohort of young men, obesity was strongly associated with adverse cardio metabolic events before 55 years of age, including venous thromboembolism. Compared with those of normal weight, young, obese men had an absolute risk increase for Type 2 Diabetes, cardiovascular morbidity or premature death of almost 30%.”
How Is This “Good News?”
Simple. Many people like to blame bad genes for their poor health. While we are a product of our genes, in MOST cases, we are not nearly as limited as most people may think.
The fact of the matter is, many, many, major diseases (like heart disease and diabetes) have more to do with actively keeping yourself healthy than your genes do.
Actively keeping yourself healthy means eating right, exercising, and reducing stress. Properly taking care of these three things can add a lot of years to a lot of lives. Not only that, it can add a lot of GOOD, PROSPEROUS, and HEALTHY years to a lot of lives.
Clearly, There Is A BIG Difference Between Being Alive and Living
It all starts with making the decision to do the right thing and then taking massive action… immediately.
Don’t “diet” starting next Monday. Make the decision to change your life habits for the rest of your life starting RIGHT NOW.
Now is the time. Throw out all the junk food. If you need nutritional help, call our office. Chiropractors have extensive training in nutrition and exercise. The chiropractic lifestyle is about achieving total health.
So, step away from the junk food. Clearly, a little effort now goes a long way.
Now For Some Of The “Better News”
I know you didn’t step away from the junk food just yet, so here’s something else that may help you achieve some great health benefits…
According to the American Heart Association, having a pet (particularly a dog), may reduce your risk of heart disease.
The statement was published online in the association’s journal Circulation: “Pet ownership, particularly dog ownership, is probably associated with a decreased risk of heart disease”, said Glenn N. Levine, M.D., Professor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, and chair of the committee that wrote the statement, after reviewing previous studies on the influence of pets.
The reason is unknown, but it is theorized that dog owners may engage in more physical activities, like walking.
In a study of more than 5,200 adults, dog owners engaged in more walking and physical activity than non-dog owners, and were 54 percent more likely to get the recommended level of physical activity.
Pet ownership may be associated with lower levels of cholesterol, blood pressure, and obesity. Pets may also have a positive effect on stress.
More research needs to be done, but it looks like owning a pet, particularly a dog, is probably good for your health.
Exercise Lowers Risk Of Breast Cancer
Past research has shown that exercise can lower a woman’s risk of breast cancer. Now, new research has a possible explanation…
According to data published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, changes in estrogen breakdown, or metabolism, may be one of the mechanisms by which aerobic exercise lowers a woman’s breast cancer risk.
According to the American Association for Cancer Research, “Observational studies suggest physical activity lowers breast cancer risk, but there are no clinical studies that explain the mechanism behind this,” said Mindy S. Kurzer, Ph.D., Professor in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Minnesota in Saint Paul. “Ours is the first study to show that aerobic exercise influences the way our bodies break down estrogens to produce more of the ‘good’ metabolites that lower breast cancer risk.”
Not only is exercise good for heart health and diabetes, it is also good for reducing the risk of breast cancer. But you should not look at exercise, eating right, and stress reduction as a treatment for any disease or condition. Instead, know that you are helping your body function as close to its optimum potential as you possibly can.
When you do that, barring any serious genetic defect or accident, you will most likely live a long and healthy life.
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