Health and Fitness : How A Healthy Diet Helps You Live Longer

The rise in the number of people developing disorders such as obesity, heart disease and other frightening health ailments is a very alarming trend. As our fast-paced lifestyles and fast-food mentality has made us overweight or stressed out, the question we need to ask ourselves is, “what is the best way for living a healthier and longer life?”. Could a healthy and balanced diet spare you from such menacing health disorders, and actually allow you to live longer?

Cultures That Lived On A Healthy Diet Are Known To Live Longer

While most people in the Western world continue to battle with fat-rich diets and stressed out lifestyles, it is good to know that some cultures and civilizations have actually succeeded in living longer lives. Take for example the Peruvian Indians, the Okinawans and some other tribe or indigenous group in Asia and Africa. These people lived off a plant-based diet, with little meat, or maybe fish and some wild game meat.  They were also less exposed to pesticides, and did not  use any hormones or antibiotics in growing their livestock. Many of the people living in these societies were recorded to have lived up to a hundred and twenty years old. These people all have one thing in common, and that is they all exercised regularly and ate a lot of plant food. These people were also known to have eaten herbs and other wild plants. They also drank a lot of water. They  did not subsist on sodas or regular fatty fast-food diets.

A Low-Sodium Diet Helps

The American Health Association notes that a teaspoon of salt contains at least 2,300 milligrams of sodium. The association stresses that people should  eat less than 2,300 mg of salt a day. Some health analysts contend that a typical restaurant meal may provide you with 1,500 to 2,000 mg of sodium, which is far than the AHA’s recommended intake. Ensuring that you consume less than 2,300 mg of sodium a day can truly help in preserving your health, as well as in allowing you to live longer.

Drink Lots Of Water Too

Water is also a very important element when it comes to attaining a healthy lifestyle. Water cools the body, allows the organs and muscles to efficiently work, and improves the joints as well.  Human beings are composed mostly of water, and because the water inside us tends to evaporate, we need to consume more of it each day. The average adult is recommended to have at least eight glasses of water each day, and there is  enough scientific evidence to support the fact that drinking a good amount of clean water helps to improve oxygen levels in the body, as well as help to remove toxins and other waste products from your system.

Restricting Calorie Intake Helps You Live Longer

A lot of people in the United States and Canada, as well as in Europe and other developing nations, have now discovered the fact that eating a nutritious but scrimpy diet helps in living longer and healthier lives. A low calorie diet has been supported by a lot of scientific evidence to be effective in making you live longer and healthier. In a study done way back in 1935 by Cornell University, laboratory mice that were fed 30 percent less calories, were known to live longer by forty percent, as compared to the mice that ate as they pleased. Since then, a number of experiments have been conducted on worms, spiders and even yeast cells, and all offered the same results. Scientists stress that people who follow calorie-restricted diets are less likely to die from age-related illnesses such as stroke, heart disease and high blood pressure, and would have a better brain capacity for decision making and making controlled movements.

Lower Calorie Consumption Promotes Longevity

While it has been proven that a calorie-restricted diet does wonders when it comes to giving you a longer and healthier life, no one has actually figured out why decreased calorie intake and lower metabolic activity helps promote longevity. One study believes that partially starving the body drives it into a maintenance mode of sorts, where it concentrates on staying healthy, and preserves its cells. A calorie-restricted diet is known to reduce calorie levels by as much as 30 percent. For example, a person practicing calorie reduction will only eat about 1,800 calories a day, which is 900 calories lower than what the average person gets each day.  A low-calorie diet typically consists of a breakfast that offers bananas, some berries and whole wheat bread, as well as  low-fat milk shake. Lunch may consist of some fish, fresh garden salads, baked sweet potatoes and a lot of vegetables.

Selva Sugunendran has published  a number of Books on Health Matters. Visit the following website to immediately download an extensively researched EBook on Multiple Health diseases including Obesity, High Blood Pressure, Cardiac Illness and Diabetes. It details the symptoms, treatments available, the interactions as well as the management and control of these diseases:

http://www.SeriousHealthProblems.com

High Blood Pressure, What is it And What Are The Risk Factors

By conventional medical definition, blood pressure is defined as the force of blood against the arteries when the heart beats, as well as when the heart rests. Blood pressure is generally measured in mmHg, or millimeters of mercury. Among the risk factors that heighten the onset of high blood pressure include lifestyle factors such as smoking, obesity, an unhealthy diet, excessive alcohol intake, high cholesterol level, high triglyceride level, kidney diseases, a family history of high blood pressure, early menopause in women, age, and ethnicity.

Why Is It Important To Control Blood Pressure In Diabetics ?

When a person is diabetic, controlling blood pressure is vital, because high blood pressure is a major risk factor for the incidence of cardiovascular disease, and it also heightens the risk for stroke, heart attack, as well as other complications such as nephropathy, or damage to the blood vessels and kidneys, and retinopathy, or damage to the blood vessels of the retina. When a person has diabetes and high blood pressure, the person’s risk of developing cardiovascular diseases also doubles.

What Causes High Blood Pressure ?

The pressure in the blood vessels is dependent on how hard the heart pumps and beats, as well as on how much resistance is felt in the arteries. Many physicians contend that a slight narrowing of the arteries heightens the resistance to blood flow, and thus increasing blood pressure levels. However, many physicians agree that the cause for the narrowing of the arteries is still unclear, and many factors may contribute to it.

The Perks Of Lowering Blood Pressure

A great deal of concrete evidence is available, which shows that  controlling blood pressure levels in diabetics greatly helps in reducing the risks of future complications, such as stroke and other associated problems. A British study called the UK Prospective Diabetics Study, confirms that people with diabetes who controlled blood pressure stood a third less risk of dying from heart attack or stroke, as compared to those who failed in controlling blood pressure levels. The study also indicates that effectively controlling blood pressure offers a number of benefits, as compared to simply controlling blood sugar levels, and practically reduces the risk of getting other diabetes-related complications as well.

How Can You Lower Blood Pressure?

There’s actually no cure for high blood pressure, however it can be controlled. Blood pressure can be effectively lowered in two ways. First by implementing lifestyle modifications, such as having a good diet, lowering weight, regular exercise, lowering salt and alcohol intake, and all these do a great deal in lowering blood pressure levels.  Second, several medications are also available for lowering blood pressure. However, the drug chosen will depend on such factors like age, ethnicity, possible side effects, and if you take other medications. In some individuals, the blood pressure medication is needed for life. However, for those who have their BP controlled for some period of time, the drug may be stopped or reduced. In individuals who have effectively reduced weight, stopped heavy drinking or smoking, and performed regular exercise, their doctor may advise that they reduce their medications. Having a healthy diet can truly help as well. It can effectively lower bad cholesterol, control weight, provide your body with fiber, vitamins and nutrients, and strengthen your immune system as well.

How Would You Know If You Have High Blood Pressure?

Many wrongly believe that high blood pressure has got something to do with being nervous, hyperactive or jittery. However, the truth is that even when you’re calm and relaxed, you can still  have high blood pressure. Even if your blood pressure is repeatedly high, you sometimes won’t see or feel the symptoms. It is true that a number of people have had the disease for years, without knowing it. Well, the only way to find out if you got high blood pressure, is to have your BP checked. A blood  pressure test is easy and painless, and it can be done in the hospital clinic, doctor’s clinic, nurse’s office or company clinic, as well as at your nearest public health care facility.

Selva Sugunendran has published  a number of Books on Health Matters. Visit the following website to immediately download an extensively researched EBook on Multiple Health diseases including Obesity, High Blood Pressure, Cardiac Illness and Diabetes. It details the symptoms, treatments available, the interactions as well as the management and control of these diseases:

http://www.SeriousHealthProblems.com

Diabetes Dangers

Diabetes mellitus, or diabetes, is a health disorder that is  brought about by abnormal blood sugar levels, due to the body not producing enough insulin hormones, or because the body fails to respond to insulin. Once blood sugar enters the bloodstream, the pancreas begins to manufacture insulin, which plays a major role in moving sugar from the blood stream into the cells, where they are converted into energy. The body utilizes the energy to function normally. However ,if the body fails to adequately manufacture or respond to insulin, sugar accumulates in the blood instead, and in the process, the cells look for other sources of energy.

Diabetes Leads To A Frightening Array of Complications

Diabetes is a frightening disease that leads to a host of equally frightening complications. The complications range from the development of some lipid disorders, which are due to an excessive deposit of fat into the blood and  also lead to other ailments such as vascular diseases and high blood pressure. The chronic late complications of the disease include heart problems and high blood pressure, which leads to heart failure and heart attack. Some of the associated complications include kidney problems that eventually lead to kidney failure and nerve damage, which leads to consequences such as diarrhea, nausea, constipation and vomiting.

Chest Pain, Stroke And Even Erectile Dysfunction

Diabetes can also lead to the development of disorders such as angina pectoris or chest pain, kidney failure, poor vision and even blindness, loss of sensation in the hands and feet, amputation, stroke and erectile dysfunction. These complications are more likely to happen in individuals who regularly smoke or already have high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels, which usually go along with diabetes. The good thing is that many diabetes complications can actually be prevented by taking concrete steps towards controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels, as well as by stopping smoking.

Diabetes Can Also Impair Vision

Diabetes can also lead to serious eye disorders, and among these include diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy causes damage to the retina, or the eye’s innermost layer, which is caused by inadequate or prolonged blood glucose levels. In diabetic retinopathy, the small blood vessels in the eye become narrow and leak, therefore the veins become enlarged and twist, causing the retina to swell. The reduced supply of oxygen to the retina leads to the formation of new blood vessels, which in reality are not stable, and thus bleed.

Diabetes Leads To The Onset Of Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is another major complication of diabetes. Atherosclerosis leads to the hardening of the arteries that lead to the legs. This often result to numbness, pain, muscle pain as well as reduced sensitivity of the foot, leading to injuries. When this happens, the treatment method given aim to reduce the symptoms and renew blood flow to the arteries. Medicines are also used to ease swelling, although in other cases surgery may be needed.

Diabetes Leads To Damaged Nerve Cells

Diabetic neuropathy is one common diabetes complication. It is brought forth by damage in nerve cells. When this happens, the peripheral nerves are the first to become damaged, and this is manifested by painful tingling.  The nerves which regulate body functions also become affected, and leads to low blood pressure levels, sexual impotence and heart complications, The symptoms of diabetic neuropathy include lack of sensation in some parts of the body, dizziness, numbness and constipation.

Diabetes is an ailment that is characterized either as Type 1 or Type 2, with each having different causes. Type 2 diabetes is common among older people. Obese or overweight individuals who have a family history of diabetes also face a greater risk of getting type 2 diabetes, which accounts for ninety percent of the entire population of diabetes sufferers worldwide.  Type 2 diabetes generally doesn’t  appear until the person reaches the mid-forties, and in many cases, the problem is not brought about by the lack of insulin, but is brought about by a defect in the cell wall’s insulin receptors. Because of the defect in the insulin receptors, the body cannot, or will not respond to the insulin that’s manufactured by the pancreas.

Selva Sugunendran has published  a number of Books on Health Matters. Visit the following website to immediately download an extensively researched EBook on Multiple Health diseases including Obesity, High Blood Pressure, Cardiac Illness and Diabetes. It details the symptoms, treatments available, the interactions as well as the management and control of these diseases:

http://www.SeriousHealthProblems.com

Health Risks Of Being Obese

People might think that the only negative thing that could happen from becoming obese is that you simply lose your looks or your attractiveness to some people. This may be one of the effects of obesity, but this is actually not the only negative effect of obesity on people. There are more pressing consequences that can come from being obese, and these are health-related risks.

There are actually a lot of health risks that an obese person might encounter in an obese person’s lifetime, especially if that person has been obese for a very long period of time. The longer you have been an obese person, then the higher your chances are of actually contracting these health risks. Here are a couple of health risks that could possibly develop from being obese.

1. Higher Health Risk Of A Heart Attack

There is no question about it that an obese person will experience some problems and heart conditions and diseases that could develop from his being an obese person. Being obese means that you have gained a body mass index of 30 or more, which means that you have a lot of fatty cells deposited all over your body, including all over your arteries that are responsible for supplying blood into the heart, and transporting those that are being pumped out. If your arteries become clogged or blocked, then you have a much higher chance of experiencing heart attacks or strokes.

2. Higher Health Risk Of An Early Death

Studies have shown that morbidly obese people have a higher chance of dying early. They are given a short life-time expectancy simply because most morbidly obese people don’t live for very long because they contract a lot more disease than the average person, thereby exposing them to a whole lot more diseases and medical conditions that could ultimately take their health. According to research, people who have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more have a 50% to 100% increased risk of an early death.

3. Higher Health Risk Of Getting Cancer

Obesity can actually expose your body and make it vulnerable to possible attacks from other forms of diseases and conditions. One of those diseases that benefits from this is cancer. By simply being obese, you can actually raise the risk of certain cancers forming in your body, such as cancer of the colon, kidney, gall bladder, prostate, and post-menopausal breast cancer.

4. Higher Health Risk Of Arthritis

Since obese people are heavy, they tend to put too much pressure on certain areas on their body, such as their joints on the knees and ankles. It has been reported that certain musculoskeletal diseases, such as osteoarthritis, are more prevalent with obese people as compared to those who are of normal weight. The risk of these types of diseases from forming actually increases for every 2 pounds that is gained from your supposed normal weight. This means that the heavier you are, the higher your chances would be of contracting arthritis and other musculoskeletal diseases.

5. Higher Risks Of Depression

A lot of obese people out there have openly admitted that they would rather have some other illness or disease, or would rather have one of their limbs cut off, instead of simply staying on their current weight. This says a lot, especially about how they perceive their weight and their condition. Being obese does not make them happy, which is why it increases their chances of becoming clinically depressed.

Selva Sugunendran has published  a number of Books on Health Matters including  Asthma, Child Obesity, Diabetes and Cardiac diseases.

If you enjoyed reading this article, then click the link below for your copy of the EBook that details everything you need to know to win the fight against child obesity:  http://www.ParentsGuideToChildObesity.com

Lose Weight And Start Living

One of the things that could hinder you from living a long, healthy and fun life is your weight. If you are obese, then there are a lot of things that you are limited to doing. Obesity not only affects what activities you are able to do, but also how you feel about yourself. Losing weight is not that difficult to do, especially if you have already set your mind to it. Here are a couple of things that could help guide you into losing some weight so that you can start living your life the way you want to.

1. Watch What You Eat

One of the very first things that you must do in order to lose weight properly is to watch what you eat. The more fatty and high cholesterol food you eat, then the fatter and unhealthier you will become. You should start eating foods that are high on fibre and protein. Choosing the right diet for you is one of the best starts that you can do, especially if you plan on losing weight the right way.

2. Control Your Food Portions

Another way that you can lose the weight and get back into shape is to simply control the portions of food that you eat. When you eat, simply try and eat small amounts of food at more frequent intervals. This will actually help you avoid in putting on some excess pounds since you only eat enough portions of food that are easier and faster to digest. The more frequent you eat your meals, the faster your metabolism will become.

3. Physical Exercise

Another thing that you should never miss out on doing is to perform physical exercises. The increase in your daily physical activity can actually help you burn off those excess fats and get you back into good and healthy shape. You can start by doing a few easier exercises at the beginning, just to get your body to adjust to the change, especially if you have been obese for quite a long time.

4. Motivate Yourself

One of the things that people often complain about is that they are not motivated enough to perform their weight loss program, or at least maintain the program until it becomes effective. You need to learn how to motivate yourself so you can maintain your weight loss program for a long period of time. Keeping yourself motivated is very important, as this will help you keep your focus on your goal, which is to lose weight in order to be able to live a healthy life.

5. Feel Good

The best way to be able to live your life happily is to be able to feel good about yourself, both on the outside and on the inside. The more fit your body becomes, the better you would feel inside. It is a known fact that if you are more comfortable with how you look, you will be able to carry yourself better, and vice versa.

Selva Sugunendran has published  a number of Books on Health Matters including  Asthma, Child Obesity, Diabetes and Cardiac diseases.

If you enjoyed reading this article, then click the link below for your copy of the EBook that details everything you need to know to win the fight against child obesity:  http://www.ParentsGuideToChildObesity.com