If a simple and inexpensive way to make you live longer existed, would you use it?
What’s that? Easy question, you say? Well, let’s tackle an even easier one first and see if your answer is still the same. Here’s the easier question: What if there was a way for you to eliminate the #1 cause of preventable death in the United States and save money at the same time? Would you do that? Of course you would… who wouldn’t? Evidently, a whole heck of a lot of people would NOT!
Here’s the scoop: Harvard researchers just published the results of a study, “The
Preventable Causes of Death in the United States: Comparative Risk Assessment of Dietary, Lifestyle, and Metabolic Risk Factors.” They listed the top causes of preventable death and how many people they estimate die each year from each risk factor.
The number one is tobacco smoking, killing 436,000-500,000 each year. Simply not smoking would eliminate the leading cause of preventable death from your life – AND save you quite a bit of money. Yet millions still smoke.
The study also found an Omega-3 deficiency causes between 72,000-96,000 deaths every year. This is very similar to the deaths caused by high trans fat intake (between 63,000-97,000). One researcher mentioned it is hard to nail down a more exact number of deaths because, “chronic diseases and associated deaths are multi-factorial. As far as diet goes, is it the lack of fruits and veggies or the excess animal and processed foods that is the culprit? It’s hard to say.” It was also noted that more research is needed to fully understand why Omega- 3 is so effective in establishing a dietary reference intake (DRI). Researchers added that until requirements are established, “Americans are likely to continue to fall short of their Omego-3 intake.” At least, according to this study, sounds like both increasing Omega-3 and decreasing trans fat intake may be a good idea.
So what were some of the other results of the study? Here they are…
1. Smoking Tobacco: 436,000 to 500,000 deaths
2. High blood Pressure: 372,000 to 414,000 deaths
3. Obesity: 188,000 to 237,000 deaths
4. Physical Inactivity: 164,000 to 222,000 deaths
5. High Blood Glucose: 163,000 to 217,000 deaths
6. High LDL Cholesterol: 94,000 to 124,000 deaths
7. High Salt Intake: 97,000 to 107,000 deaths
Other risk factors included: alcohol use, low polyunsaturated fatty acids, and low intake of fruits and vegetables.
So, what are you probably eating that could be contributing to the SECOND cause of preventable death which is high blood pressure? According to that study, high blood pressure kills between 372,000-414,000 every year. And listen to this… On September 23, 2009, according to Reuters, a recently released study found a diet high in a form of sugar found in sweetened soft drinks and junk food raises blood pressure among men. Reuters reports, the study “provided the first evidence that fructose helps raise blood pressure.” The study “suggested that people who consume sweetened soft drinks at night could gain weight faster than those who don’t.” From Reuters: “These results suggest that excessive fructose intake may have a role in the worldwide epidemic of obesity and diabetes,” said Dr. Richard Johnson of the University of Colorado-Denver, who studied the link between blood pressure and men.
Fructose is about 50% of the make-up of table sugar and the high fructose corn syrup popular in many foods. The American Heart Association currently says women should eat no more than 100 calories of added processed sugar per day, or six teaspoons (25 grams), while most men should keep it to just 150 calories or nine teaspoons (37.5 grams). On average, Americans consume 22 teaspoons (90 grams) or 355 calories of added sugar each day. Maybe it’s time Americans started seriously cutting back just a little… don’t you think?
Posts Tagged ‘pritsker’
Harvard University Researchers: Deficiency Of This Nutrient Is Responsible For 72,000-96,000 Preventable Deaths Per Year
Wednesday, January 20th, 2010Is The Secret To Living Longer And Feeling Better Really As Easy As This?
Thursday, October 22nd, 2009A Little Can Go A LONG Way…
A new study in the Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise suggests people who stay even moderately fit as they age may live longer than those who do not.
According to an August 21, 2009 Reuters’ article, “Our findings suggest that sedentary lifestyle, rather than differences in cardiovascular risk factors or age, may explain (the) two-fold higher mortality rates in the least-fit versus slightly more fit healthy individuals,” lead researcher, Dr. Sandra Mandic of the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand, noted in an email to Reuters Health. She pointed out that nearly two-thirds of the least-fit study participants were not getting the minimum recommended amount of exercise — at least 30 minutes of moderate activity, like brisk walking, on five or more days a week. “These results emphasize the importance of improving and maintaining high fitness levels by engaging in regular physical activity,” Mandic said, “particularly in poorly fit individuals.”
And here’s something of MAJOR importance!!!!
The study showed a history of exercise was not a factor. In other words, it doesn’t matter if you used to be in shape. What matters is RECENT activity. This helps explain why a professional athlete, who was in phenomenal shape for years, can die young from heart disease. The study suggests you only get protection from RECENT physical activity.
This may be disheartening for many since so many people look at “exercise programs” and “diet,” as temporary things… doing them just long enough to get in the desired shape or lose a certain amount of weight.
This approach will NOT make you healthy. What will help make you healthy and possibly live longer is making the commitment to change your lifestyle. Committing to eating right and exercising FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.
That is exactly what Chiropractors believe and have been teaching for years - - health is the result of what you routinely do now and for the rest of your life.
That’s why it is also important to commit to getting and keeping your spine working properly with Chiropractic care. If you stop exercising, you lose the positive effects. If you stop brushing your teeth, you lose the positive effect. And, if you neglect your spine, chances are, you will eventually end up in rough shape again. Staying healthy and living longer is in YOUR hands. Visit www.BackCareCentral.com for more info.
You Are What Your Mother Ate!
Tuesday, July 7th, 2009What’s more important: nature or nurture? The argument has been raging on for decades. In other words, are you strictly the end result of your upbringing and actions? Or are you simply a product of your genes?
A safe bet is that we are a combination of both. Our genes give us a blueprint with both positives and negatives and our actions either maximize or minimize the hand we’ve been dealt.
But, a new science has… Thickened The Plot! How? The new science is called “Epigenetics” and it attempts to explain how the environment can modify your genes. That’s a unique twist to this debate – wouldn’t you say?
So, what does all this have to do with you?
Here’s what: On April 14th, 2009 Science Daily reported on an epigenetic report published in the FASEB Journal that found: “You are what your mother ate during pregnancy.” In the report, scientists from the University of Utah showed rats that received poor nutrition in the womb genetically altered themselves to be born into a nutritionally deficient environment.
What’s that mean? The rat fetuses’ genes actually changed to prepare them for the environment they were going to be born into. Since there was poor nutrition in the womb, the rats were likely to grow to smaller sizes when compared to others born to “normal” nutrition levels.
Being smaller was not the only negative. The rats also had a higher risk for many health problems throughout their lives such as: diabetes, growth retardation, cardiovascular disease, obesity and neuro developmental delays… just to name a few.
But These Are Rats! How Are Humans Affected?
According to Science Daily, “Although the study involved rats, the genes and cellular mechanisms involved are the same as those in humans.” Also according to Science Daily: “The new ‘epigenetics’ has taught us how nature is changed by nurture,” said Gerald Weissmann, M.D., Editor-in-Chief of The FASEB Journal. “The jury’s in and, yes, expectant moms really are eating for two. This study shows not only that we need to address problems such as preeclampsia during pregnancy, but also that prenatal care is far more important than anyone could have imagined a decade ago.”
After reading this interesting new information a few questions come to mind: If a fetus can alter its genes to adapt to the environment they are being born into – can a person alter their genes to adapt to their environment AFTER they are born? And since I treat patients with chiropractic care, what effect does Chiropractic treatment during pregnancy have on the potential of a child? If the environment is altered for the better – it makes sense the fetus would adapt genetically in a positive way.
But, until proper research is done, who knows for sure? But one thing makes sense: During pregnancy, everything should be done to ensure the developing fetus has the best possible environment. Proper exercise, balanced diet, and a healthy spine with chiropractic care are all key elements in growing a healthy baby.
To learn more about how to keep healthy, visit Dr. Pritsker DC’s blog at www.BackCareCentral.com or to receive a free video on how to keep your spine healthy call the toll free 24 hour recorded message at 1-888-867-4951.
