Friday, December 19, 2008

Have You Ever Wanted to be Healthy?

By Samatha Jackson

You can die in about 8,956 ways. However, in all cases, most, if not all, will always choose 4 among the list. We used the term "choose" here because a suicidal lifestyle that results to untimely death is normally chosen by the mainstream of the people.

In the same way as Dr. Augustus Grant, president of the American Heart Association, states it, "Poor diet, excess body weight, physical inactivity and smoking, are modifiable risk factors that contribute to the premature death of close to 1.5 million Americans each year."

John Seffrin, head of the American Cancer Society, further claimed, "Last year, more than 80 percent of all deaths in America were from 4 things ? heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes." He said that major causes for these diseases are inactive lifestyle, smoking, unhealthy diet and obesity.

And it is a well known fact that these things are not happening to Americans alone. All over the world, thousands if not millions of people are dying of premature deaths. This is in spite of having healthy births that give the potential to have longer lives. And that is because these people are not following the rules of healthy living.

The problem with most people is that the facts are laid out, everything they need to stay healthy is available, but they do not conform to them. Instead, they would rather maintain what they have been used to - smoking cigarettes, eating junk food, weight gain, and the ever popular couch-potato lifestyle.

With this, the American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, and the American Heart Association have joined forces to solve the problem and deliver a very important message to everybody.

Based on what most experts are saying, most deaths are not usually caused by ill-fated genes or toxins in the environment. The actual reason is that deaths around the world are caused by the unhealthy lifestyle that these people have.

It was found out that most Americans are undernourished or overfed. Over 60% are suffering from obesity. And only a few people are taking the recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables, about 5 to 9 servings. Ironically, some are eating fruits and vegetables but in unhealthy forms like banana splits or French fries.

And the greatest problem is that most Americans are not engaged with the daily recommended exercise of just 30 minutes a day. Add to that, statistics show that 1 in every four Americans continues smoking for the next 30 years of their lives in spite of the health warnings. And day after day, around the world, these facts are increasing.

It does not necessarily mean they need your participation. If you do not want to have a close encounter with the four major diseases - stroke, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes - follow the rules and be at the pink of health. Have a well balanced meals everyday including several varieties of vegetables and fruits. Take food supplements daily. Watch your weight. Sweat it out. And, of course, cut the nicotine.

Come to think of it, life would be much sweeter and lovelier if we reach its full potential without the problems. And it's not that hard isn't it? - 16955

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