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As children and adults continue to wage a losing battle against excessive weight and obesity, the impact to health and longevity is beginning to take it's toll. Dietary excess, lack of exercise and stress are contributing to skyrocketing levels of the major killers. Heart disease, diabetes, cancer, stroke and Alzheimer's account for over 60% of deaths annually.
Everyone has an opinion as to whether diet or exercise works best when trying to lose weight. Which method will provide the best weight loss results, and more importantly, which will help in the prevention and treatment of heart disease, diabetes and cancer? Both diet and exercise are important when considering a weight loss plan, and each regimen has important benefits when considering the war on obesity. More than 45 millio Americans belong to a health club and yet obesity continues to rise at an alarming rate.
Processed meat consumption is surging as Americans gobble up hot dogs, sausage and cold cuts in record numbers. We're paying the ultimate price for this inexpensive, easy preparation food source as the risk of heart disease, cancer and diabetes have been conclusively linked to processed meat products. The results of a large study published in Circulation clearly demonstrate that even small quantities of processed meats, as small as 2 ounces eaten daily, increases the risk of heart disease by 42% and diabetes by 19%.
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder which threatens most organs in the body. Excessive blood sugar levels cause disruption and damage to the inner lining of the vessels, resulting in loss of eyesight, kidney failure and cardiovascular disease. Type 2 diabetes is a disease caused by poor diet and lifestyle.
Alzheimer's Disease cases have been rapidly increasing over the last half century, and are currently the seventh leading cause of death in America. Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia and affects our ability to form memories, communicate and perform the most common daily tasks. Fifty years ago, Alzheimer's Disease was virtually unknown to medical science, yet today we see a skyrocketing incidence of this devastating affliction.
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) results in nearly 1 million deaths each year and millions more are living with this disease and the limitations which lead to an early demise. Coronary Artery Disease is avoidable and reversible by following a healthy diet and supplementing with targeted nutraceuticals.
Cognitive decline is unnatural. Millions of aging adults consider an impaired capacity to think, reason and form new memories as the inevitable course of declining health. By accepting brain aging as normal, we condemn our senior years and live in constant fear of whether we will remember our family and friends or retain our personal identity.
Vitamin D has been receiving much attention lately, as it has been shown to reduce the risk of many cancers, help to prevent cardiovascular disease, lower the prevalence of diabetes and activate the body's immune system. Vitamin D has been the subject of extensive research over the last decade. Vitamin D is deficient in nearly 60% of the population, as people avoid the sun and are not able to consume sufficient amounts.
Our body is a very complex machine which is continually processing the foods we eat through chemical reactions we refer to as digestion and metabolism. Foods which are highly refined, processed and over cooked break down into sugars and proteins which wreak havoc in our cells. The sugar and protein molecules combine in the blood and in our cells to create byproducts known as 'anti-glycation end products' or AGE's.
Free radical production plays a pivotal role in the development of systemic inflammation that fuels the aging process. Free radicals are formed as a result of essential metabolic processes such as breathing, walking and eating. Over the course of decades, these molecules damage sensitive cellular structures and can threaten the integrity of our genetic architecture.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death among Americans. Many people do not realize that cancer is largely a disease which can be prevented through lifestyle and dietary modifications as well as through targeted supplementation. Prevention is the key to reducing the number of cancer deaths, as once this disease has spread to multiple organs, survival rates plummet.
Diabetes ranks as the sixth leading cause of death in the US with new cases of the disease rising at alarming levels, especially among children and teens. More alarming is the fact that diabetes more than doubles the risk of sudden death from a heart attack. Weight loss among those suffering from diabetes is very difficult as the body's delicate glucose and lipid balancing mechanisms are disrupted, causing excess pounds to become resistant to traditional diet plans.
Weight loss is the main reason nearly two-thirds of American’s are on a diet, yet only 1 in 8 people have an accurate idea of how many calories they really need to accomplish their goal. According to a survey from the International Food Information Council Foundation, more than half of the people were unable to even guess the number of calories necessary to maintain their weight and 25% wouldn’t even attempt a guess.
As the number of overweight and obese Americans approaches three-quarters of all adults, dropping those extra pounds becomes a serious objective of many who are conce ed with their long term health. For most, losing weight and keeping it off is a lifelong battle made more difficult with frequent on-the-run meals and failed fad diets.r
Alzheimer’s disease now affects more than 5 millio Americans, and research projects that number will triple to more than 15 million by 2050. This dreaded memory-robbing disease is feared more than any other disease by most people, as it hits at the core of our being, stealing treasured experiences and our most basic identity.
Americans consume 156 pounds of sugar for every man, woman and child each year, and this number is continuing to grow at an alarming rate. The vast majority doesn’t come from the sugar jar, but is conveniently hidden in foods you may never suspect. Sugar, and its evil cousin high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), are lurking in virtually every processed food available on supermarket shelves today, including salad dressings, soups and breads.
Few people would disagree that men and women are different in many ways, and their diet is no exception. While both sexes should avoid health degrading foods such as trans fat rich baked and fried items along with sugar and fructose laden soft drinks and desserts, there are certain foods which are especially important to male health. Foods to Improve Mood, Memory and Muscles
Americans continue to struggle with weight loss, and yet the number of people who indicate they are actively trying to lose weight has steadily decreased. As a nation, we have become less conce ed about the impact overweight and obesity will have on our quality and length of life, as well as the burden being placed on an already broken health care system. The solution is well within our reach, and like every significant achievement, healthy weight loss requires time, planning and perseverance.
Millions of Americans struggle to lose weight every day, as they desperately try to find the right key to open the door to improved health and fat reduction. This task is made even more difficult thanks to the never ending assault of glitzy junk food and fast food marketing efforts. People trying to lose weight want to make the right choices, but are persuaded otherwise by ridiculous weight reduction promises, pills and fad diets.
The health of Americans has been slowly declining for the past half century, due in part to the dramatic rise in processed junk foods which comprise the bulk of our diet, and a general lack of physical activity. Many children and young adults will find they are part of the first generation to live shorter lives when compared to their parents. Medical researchers have made great strides over the last 10 years discovering how detrimental a poor diet and lack of exercise can be to our health, and regularly promote a well balanced, reduced calorie diet and regular physical activity.
Lack of physical activity and poor dietary lifestyle are having a devastating effect on our health and longevity. As the number of Americans falling in the overweight or obese range approaches 3 out of every 4 children and adults, health conscious individuals understand the importance of eating healthy and increasing exercise intensity to lose weight and live a longer life.
No word can produce more fear, emotion and misunderstanding in the world of diet and weight loss than fasting. The term conjures up visions of starving for days and weeks without a morsel of food, and drinking only fruit juices. A traditional fast is controversial and possibly even unhealthy for certain people, but intermittent fasting relies on the emerging weight loss science of calorie restriction.
Evidence continues to mount validating the critical nature of Vitamin D to human health. Actually a form of hormone, Vitamin D exerts a powerful influence on virtually every cell in the body as it’s been shown to activate the immune systems ability to identity and thwart pathogens and rogue cancer cells.
It can be difficult to determine if your workout is sufficient to meet your health and weight loss goals. For many people, just making the effort to exercise for 20 minutes several days a week is good enough to provide them with basic fitness benefits. Others need a more rigorous aerobic training session to peak their heart rate and boost overall health. Establish Your Training Goal
Obesity rates continue to grow at a staggering pace, with dire implications to both individual health and our struggling health care system. Over 2 million people moved from overweight to obese status, based on the Body Mass Index (BMI) scale, a standardized measurement of body weight. Obesity has been implicated in a host of diseases ranging from heart disease and stroke to diabetes and cancer. Stress and the Economy Blamed for Rising Obesity
The sobering fact is that 1 in 3 children in America are either overweight or obese, placing them at risk for early onset diabetes, heart disease and even acid reflux. A sensible plan which leads to sustainable weight loss can prevent a lifelong battle with obesity and reduced self esteem. According to a report in the International journal of Pediatric Obesity, childhood obesity increases the incidence of gastric reflux by up to 40%. Reflux disease can lead to decreased quality of life, chronic respiratory conditions and increased risk of cancer of the esophagus.
Consuming too much meat, especially red and processed meat has been linked to increased risk of heart disease and cancer, and now those trying to lose weight are well advised to limit total calories from all meat sources. Research reported in the American journal of Clinical Nutrition links a diet high in meat to excessive weight gain when compared to people eating the same number of calories from non-meat sources.
Many people understand the importance of a regular exercise regimen and the positive impact it has on overall fitness, mood and moving you toward your weight loss goal. Individuals fail to develop a solid strategy which will motivate them every day, so they can avoid the high dropout rate experienced by those with the best physical fitness intentions. Lack of Exercise Increases Risk from Disease
It’s no secret that American waistlines are continuing to expand, increasing the risk of disease and sudden death from an early age. The vast majority of overweight and obese individuals are conscious of their excess girth and would like to lose weight, but don’t fully understand the dire health consequences they face from those extra pounds. Risk of Death Doubles with Waist Size
Type 2 diabetes continues to reach epidemic levels in America, doubling the risk of stroke and sudden death from a heart attack. This insidious disease attacks the body’s vascular system, causing metabolic imbalances which reduce quality of life and increase mortality from all causes.r
Millions of Americans are looking for a weight loss plan which is easy to follow and will deliver results. The problem with most traditional weight loss diets is that they eliminate certain important food groups or require drastic lifestyle changes which can’t be maintained long term. The only weight loss plan which can work allows for flexibility in food choices and is structured for a slow transition to a new dietary lifestyle.
The incidence of diabetes has doubled over the past 10 years, and many people remain unaware that they have become victim to this silent killer disease. Millions of people are pre-diabetic, indicating a failing metabolism which will lead to full diabetes, typically in 6 months to 2 years time.
People understand the importance of combining proper diet, psychological motivation and regular physical activity in their quest to lose weight. Most are shocked to find out that certain food combinations eaten after exercise may actually sabotage any weight loss benefit by disrupting the way fat is metabolized after a training session.
Most people are familiar with the popular diet plans which millions follow in a desperate attempt to lose weight and improve health. Low carb diets have garnished much attention over the past 40 years as scores of people have quickly dropped weight following the program made popular by Dr. Robert Atkins. The Atkins plan has not been without controversy due to the inclusion of processed meats, high fat dairy and the initial exclusion of fresh vegetables. Fad Carb Diets Don’t Work Long Term
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US, killing nearly 650,000 people. Studies indicate that heart disease risk is doubled by eating a diet which includes a high percent of calories from refined and processed carbohydrates. The American journal of Clinical Nutrition reports that the typical American diet results in increasing blood sugar, insulin and triglyceride levels and ultimately culminates with a group of diseases known as metabolic syndrome.
Over the past half century, we have become a fat-phobic nation. This has led to the low-fat diet mentality which is prescribed by the overwhelming majority of medical and dietary professionals. The problem is this diet is the direct cause of heart disease, diabetes and the metabolic syndrome.
The extra weight carried by nearly three-quarters of the American adult population increases the risk of many diseases ranging from heart disease and stroke to metabolic disorders such as diabetes. New research indicates that memory loss and dementia should be added to the long list of health afflictions exacerbated by excess weight. A study assembled with data from the Woman’s Health Initiative indicates that the memory of woman as they age declines by approximately 1% for every single-point increase in Body Mass Index, a statistical indicator used to determine normal and excess weight.
Cholesterol lowering statins have been hailed as miracle drugs and yet medical research has come to the dismal conclusion that they are virtually worthless in preventing heart disease or death from a heart attack, possibly helping 1 out of 100 who take the drug. Those aren’t very good odds when you consider the documented health damaging side effects reported by as many as one-third of statin users. High Cholesterol Doesn’t Cause Heart Disease
Heart disease ranks as the leading cause of death among Americans, yet this killer disease remains a mystery to most people who may someday suffer from its devastating grasp. The etiology of heart disease is no longer a shrouded mystery, as researchers now have a solid understanding of the factors which cause the most common form of heart disease known as coronary artery disease.
As Americans continue to fight a losing battle in the war against abdominal fat, newly emerging information from the Endocrine Society implicates high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) with the metabolic disorder which leads to diabetes and storage of fat around the waist. HFCS is found in virtually every processed food and drink available on grocery store shelves because it’s inexpensive to produce, and readily available due to government subsidies.
There’s now yet another compelling reason to lose weight and cut consumption of unhealthy Omega-6 fats from vegetable sources. Research released from the Institute of Food Technologists indicates that as many as 1 in 3 cancer deaths could be prevented by reducing consumption of corn and vegetable oils and cutting calories. It’s important to understand that fat itself is not the enemy, as it’s an essential nutrient required for normal cellular function. The problem arises when the balance of Omega-6 and Omega-3 fats are disproportional in our diet.
Millions are at risk from developing and dying from the most pervasive killer, heart disease. While more than 750,000 Americans die each year from one of the many types of this often silent disease, the most common form, known as coronary artery disease frequently results in narrowed arteries which become blocked by clots circulating in the blood. The Cause of Heart Disease is Based on Faulty Science
Over the past half century, Americans have experienced a metabolic pandemic, leading to a nearly 40% obesity rate among adults and risk of a shortened lifespan due to heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Researchers believe that the current generation of children and young adults will the first to live shorter lives than their parents, should current levels of obesity and dietary negligence continue.
Many people understand the basic mechanics of weight loss – reduce calories and increase physical activity. If the solution is that simple, why has the number of overweight and obese individuals swollen to nearly three-quarters of the US adult population? The answer is far from simple, but clearly our nutrient poor diet and sedentary lifestyle are having a significant impact on our health and inability to drop weight.
Exercise is necessary to remain healthy, as it ties together a lifestyle of proper diet, stress management and social interaction. Our need for regular exercise is encoded into our genes, as our earliest ancestors required short bursts of energy to hunt for food or evade predators. At the most basic level, our metabolic function and ability to fight off disease is dependent on the food we eat and the amount and type of exercise we provide for our wellbeing. Exercise provides the added benefits of improving mood, boosting energy levels and providing for better sleep.
The results of a new study published in the journal Nitric Oxide: Biology and Chemistry shows the impact of beetroot juice on brain health. Researchers already know that beetroot juice is beneficial to heart health as it effectively lowers blood pressure. A new study demonstrated the extract could be used as an agent to improve oxygen flow to the aging brain and improve cognitive decline. Nitrates in Beetroot Juice Relax Aging Arteries
Colon cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths. This devastating disease is on the rise as our typical diet of processed foods continues to kill. A diet void of essential nutrients is the driving force behind this largely preventable disease. Researchers continue to uncover the critical link between a diet packed with natural plant based phytonutrients and cancer prevention. You can add these important foods to your dietary arsenal and dramatically lower your risk of disease. Study Shows a 45% Reduction in Colon Cancer Risk
Coenzyme Q10 is an amazing chemical cofactor which is required by every cell in the body to produce the energy we need to live. It`s been shown to increase the level of energy to all muscles and is especially important to cardiac function as it increases energy production at an optimal rate.
As the obesity epidemic continues to spread throughout the western civilization, the healths of many millions are placed in severe jeopardy. With rates projected to hit a saturation level of 43% in the US by 2050, incidence of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and dementia will escalate and threaten to collapse our already failing health care system.
When given the opportunity our body has the amazing capacity to thwart many diseases and illnesses including the common cold and influenza. When we provide our immune system with the necessary tools to fight bacteria and viruses, vibrant health will always be the natural result.