A couple of weeks ago, I attended a luncheon. One of the attendees shared some recently shocking news coming from an associate of hers. Her second grade daughter had started her menstrual cycle! At second grade?
Amazing it seems! But the truth of the matter is that with each generation, girls (and boys) are beginning their hormonal cycles and changes younger and younger. Why? One big fat cause: growth hormones used in producing animal products for human consumption.
Most of us can read the histories of our grandparents and find that they:
1) grew their animals on their family farm, or bartered with a neighbor
2) ate meat sparingly - killing a chicken or two for Sunday dinner, and/or hunted, dried, prepared other meats on different occasions
3) had their own milk cow or traded with their neighbor
4) all animals ate grass, insects, garden scraps, whole grains, etc.
Animals raised in these conditions are more difficult to find today. You have to go to specialty stores, health markets, or request the grocery stores to carry them for you - and they are much more expensive than the main stream market meats (understandably so - they are allowed to grow naturally with better food and without the speed of hormones). But you must remember most milk and meats products found in grocery stores:
are from animals grown with hormones - for quick growth which means more profits
these products (milk, cheeses, meats of all kinds) now contain the growth hormones
the growth hormones are passed onto the consumer
which results in: people putting on extra weight, children coming into puberty earlier, and people growing taller and have longer extremities (shoes & clothes sizes have increased dramatically)
So what can you do about it?
1) Quit eating main stream meat and milk products from: grocery stores, fast food restaurants, any restaurants
2) Limit your meat and milk intake - eat them sparingly or infrequent
3) Shop for grass-fed or non-hormone produced meat or milk products
4) Realize that what you eat really does make a difference
5) Care about today's and tomorrow's children by stepping up to the plate and demanding the best or nothing! Our children really do depend our knowledge and decisions!
6) Get into the habit of creating your own good healthy menus for yourself and those around you. Get some great cookbooks that are created for this very reason: see http://erleentilton.com/store.htm
For your best health,
Erleen Tilton
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Miracle Weight Loss? NOT!
I have heard a lot about gastric-bypass surgery and have even attended training seminars on how to train people who have undergone this process. There is a "menu" of bariatric operations to chose from. But this is not the miracle weight loss solution that everyone should be looking at. In fact, 4 in 10 patients develop complications within the first six months! I was hesitant to undergo shoulder surgery to repair major damage so there is no way I would consider someone cutting me open and messing with my intestines and stomache.
One procedure actually sections off part of the stomache to limit food consumption and then shortens the intestine so that less is absorbed through your system. Guess what? This means you have to learn how to eat differently. So what is the difference between having an invasive procedure to just eating better on your own? Both are creating new habits but the surgery is adding risk, not to mention the cost of the surgery and post-operative care.
After the suregery, they teach you how to eat tiny, frequent meals. A good trainer or nutritionist can do that without lifting a knife. You also have to take supplements to get the vitamins you are not receiving because of the quick passing through you intestine. You can take supplements without surgery ( I recommend a good multivitamin at a minimum, even if you are eating properly).
One woman profiled had lost 160 pounds after 15 months. That is 2 to 2 1/2 pounds per week. You can do that with a proper diet and exercise too. This same woman also said that after 7 months from the surgery, she had developed an agonizing ulcer on the new inner seam bewteen her stomache and intestine that required another operation. You wouldn't get that with a proper diet and exercise.
She was also rushed into emergency surgery one day when she doubled over in pain. She had an intestinal hernia. Her bowel had snagged on a slit in her abdominal wall. That wouldn't have happened with a proper diet and exercise.
She had to have a fourth procedure to ease the pain of the abdominal scarring. The gastrointestinal pain had become so severe she could barely eat. One day she couldn't flex her right foot then within weeks her limbs began to tingle, her energy evaporated and her weight plummeted. She stopped menstruating and she felt like dying. She had a disorder called bariatric beriberi. A new term based on extreme thiamine deficiency caused by the surgery. That wouldn't happen with a proper diet and exercise.
There is a general perception that this is a shortcut to being thin. It is not. It takes just as long as if you had a proper diet and regular exercise, yet all of the risks are eliminated. The media hypes this surgery and it is deceiving. They even go as far as to say that this surgery can help type 2 diabetes. Well dah...! If you loss weight you reduce the risk and can even reverse it in some cases. Why are they associating this with the surgery when it is the weight loss? They also say in one study that obese people who have the surgery extend their lives up to 7 years over those that don't. Again...dah...! Weight loss does that too. it is a sales pitch and a very dnagerous one at that.
Here are some more sombering statistics. The death rate for gastric bypass surgery is between 1 in 1,000 and 1 in 200. Other problems patients have had after surgery include vomiting, diarrhea, infections, hernias and respiratory failure. Up to 40% can suffer nutritional deficiency, potentially resulting in anemia and osteoporosis; siezures and paralysis have been reported in extreme cases. Some have even had bizarre neurological problems.
Here is the summary on gastric-bypass surgery. You can shed up to 70% of excess weight within 18 months but will gradually regain 20 to 25% of what was lost (because you haven't learned to exercise). If you are extremely obese (BMI > 40) you merely shift to obese. Obese can drop to overweight (BMI of 25 to 29.9). Only 10% ever drop to a normal BMI of 18.5 to 24.9. You risk all of the probelms listed above. You have to relearn how to eat properly as a lifetime commitment.
Here is exercising and proper diet. You can shed ALL of your excess weight within 18 to 24 months (depends on how much you need to lose). You relearn how to eat properly without starving yourself. You get more energy. You feel good. It is a lifestyle change that is easier and pain free if done correctly with a good trainer.
Final word here is to stop looking for the easy way because there is none. Human beings are meant to exercise and eat balanced, natural foods. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Cut out sugars and processed food. Trust me. You will be better off and will live a longer, healthier and more productive life.
One procedure actually sections off part of the stomache to limit food consumption and then shortens the intestine so that less is absorbed through your system. Guess what? This means you have to learn how to eat differently. So what is the difference between having an invasive procedure to just eating better on your own? Both are creating new habits but the surgery is adding risk, not to mention the cost of the surgery and post-operative care.
After the suregery, they teach you how to eat tiny, frequent meals. A good trainer or nutritionist can do that without lifting a knife. You also have to take supplements to get the vitamins you are not receiving because of the quick passing through you intestine. You can take supplements without surgery ( I recommend a good multivitamin at a minimum, even if you are eating properly).
One woman profiled had lost 160 pounds after 15 months. That is 2 to 2 1/2 pounds per week. You can do that with a proper diet and exercise too. This same woman also said that after 7 months from the surgery, she had developed an agonizing ulcer on the new inner seam bewteen her stomache and intestine that required another operation. You wouldn't get that with a proper diet and exercise.
She was also rushed into emergency surgery one day when she doubled over in pain. She had an intestinal hernia. Her bowel had snagged on a slit in her abdominal wall. That wouldn't have happened with a proper diet and exercise.
She had to have a fourth procedure to ease the pain of the abdominal scarring. The gastrointestinal pain had become so severe she could barely eat. One day she couldn't flex her right foot then within weeks her limbs began to tingle, her energy evaporated and her weight plummeted. She stopped menstruating and she felt like dying. She had a disorder called bariatric beriberi. A new term based on extreme thiamine deficiency caused by the surgery. That wouldn't happen with a proper diet and exercise.
There is a general perception that this is a shortcut to being thin. It is not. It takes just as long as if you had a proper diet and regular exercise, yet all of the risks are eliminated. The media hypes this surgery and it is deceiving. They even go as far as to say that this surgery can help type 2 diabetes. Well dah...! If you loss weight you reduce the risk and can even reverse it in some cases. Why are they associating this with the surgery when it is the weight loss? They also say in one study that obese people who have the surgery extend their lives up to 7 years over those that don't. Again...dah...! Weight loss does that too. it is a sales pitch and a very dnagerous one at that.
Here are some more sombering statistics. The death rate for gastric bypass surgery is between 1 in 1,000 and 1 in 200. Other problems patients have had after surgery include vomiting, diarrhea, infections, hernias and respiratory failure. Up to 40% can suffer nutritional deficiency, potentially resulting in anemia and osteoporosis; siezures and paralysis have been reported in extreme cases. Some have even had bizarre neurological problems.
Here is the summary on gastric-bypass surgery. You can shed up to 70% of excess weight within 18 months but will gradually regain 20 to 25% of what was lost (because you haven't learned to exercise). If you are extremely obese (BMI > 40) you merely shift to obese. Obese can drop to overweight (BMI of 25 to 29.9). Only 10% ever drop to a normal BMI of 18.5 to 24.9. You risk all of the probelms listed above. You have to relearn how to eat properly as a lifetime commitment.
Here is exercising and proper diet. You can shed ALL of your excess weight within 18 to 24 months (depends on how much you need to lose). You relearn how to eat properly without starving yourself. You get more energy. You feel good. It is a lifestyle change that is easier and pain free if done correctly with a good trainer.
Final word here is to stop looking for the easy way because there is none. Human beings are meant to exercise and eat balanced, natural foods. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Cut out sugars and processed food. Trust me. You will be better off and will live a longer, healthier and more productive life.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
So What About Chocolate and Cola?
There is much being said recently about dark chocolate and its possible health benefits. Here's some information from different resources that might give some helpful insights on both chocolate and cola drinks:
· "It is difficult to fault something that was known as the "Food of the Gods" to the Aztecs, but chocolate can certainly have its negative side. It is extremely high in fat, calories, and because of its bitterness, is invariably blended with large amounts of sweeteners. Chocolate also contains caffeine and theobromine (stimulants), tannic acid, and has a high content of oxalic acid (blocks absorption of calcium)." Source: TCW Product Information Guide
· "Because it (chocolate) is rich in the stimulants caffeine and theobromine, chocolate combats fatigue and gives a burst of quick energy." Source: Reader's Digest, Magic and Medicine of Plants
· "Kola Nuts are the seed kernels of 6 or 7 species of the genus Cola (Chocolate Family). The kernels contain more caffeine than coffee, also a little theobromine." Source: A Golden Guide, Herbs and Spices
This is my story. At age 21, I had over a dozen breast lumps. After having a mammogram, the medical practitioner: 1) assured me that the lumps were benign, 2) said that women are much more affected negatively by stimulants, and 3) recommended that I give up 4 things for life to avoid breast cancer which were: coffee, tea, cola drinks, and chocolate. Incidentally, I only had to give up one: chocolate - my favorite addiction! The others were not a part of my life. And within a few months, all the breast lumps disappeared and have never returned.
Chocolate and cola drinks do contain stimulants, and that's why they are addictive just like other addictive substances. That's why people crave them - that's why people get headaches if they try to avoid them once addicted.
Solutions: avoid addictive foods - those with stimulants!
* Replace chocolate with carob. "The taste of carob is 'somewhat similar' to chocolate but should be enjoyed for its own unique flavor. Carob is a naturally sweet product, about 40% natural sugars. Compared to chocolate, carob is low in fat and is not as allergenic." Source: TCW Product Information Guide
* Replace cola drinks with WATER, and nutritious high antioxidant drinks such as Zrii (Ayurvedically balanced)!
For lots of great recipes using carob, get Enjoy Nature's Harvest E-cookbook available at http://erleentilton.com/store.htm
For your best health,
Erleen Tilton
· "It is difficult to fault something that was known as the "Food of the Gods" to the Aztecs, but chocolate can certainly have its negative side. It is extremely high in fat, calories, and because of its bitterness, is invariably blended with large amounts of sweeteners. Chocolate also contains caffeine and theobromine (stimulants), tannic acid, and has a high content of oxalic acid (blocks absorption of calcium)." Source: TCW Product Information Guide
· "Because it (chocolate) is rich in the stimulants caffeine and theobromine, chocolate combats fatigue and gives a burst of quick energy." Source: Reader's Digest, Magic and Medicine of Plants
· "Kola Nuts are the seed kernels of 6 or 7 species of the genus Cola (Chocolate Family). The kernels contain more caffeine than coffee, also a little theobromine." Source: A Golden Guide, Herbs and Spices
This is my story. At age 21, I had over a dozen breast lumps. After having a mammogram, the medical practitioner: 1) assured me that the lumps were benign, 2) said that women are much more affected negatively by stimulants, and 3) recommended that I give up 4 things for life to avoid breast cancer which were: coffee, tea, cola drinks, and chocolate. Incidentally, I only had to give up one: chocolate - my favorite addiction! The others were not a part of my life. And within a few months, all the breast lumps disappeared and have never returned.
Chocolate and cola drinks do contain stimulants, and that's why they are addictive just like other addictive substances. That's why people crave them - that's why people get headaches if they try to avoid them once addicted.
Solutions: avoid addictive foods - those with stimulants!
* Replace chocolate with carob. "The taste of carob is 'somewhat similar' to chocolate but should be enjoyed for its own unique flavor. Carob is a naturally sweet product, about 40% natural sugars. Compared to chocolate, carob is low in fat and is not as allergenic." Source: TCW Product Information Guide
* Replace cola drinks with WATER, and nutritious high antioxidant drinks such as Zrii (Ayurvedically balanced)!
For lots of great recipes using carob, get Enjoy Nature's Harvest E-cookbook available at http://erleentilton.com/store.htm
For your best health,
Erleen Tilton
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Anti-Aging Trick
I just read an article about the best anti-aging trick that backs up my coaching on overall health. The experts say that the closest you can get to the Fountain of Youth is ... drum roll please... start eating less!... cymbal crash.
Restricting your calories can add up to 5 years on your life. Even the scientists who are cautious about anti-aging hype say it works. Eating less cuts the risks for some diseases and by allowing all body cells to hang in there longer.
"There is plenty of evidence that calorie restriction can reduce your risks for many common diseases including cancer, diabetes and heart disease," says Saint Louis University researcher Edward Weiss. "And you may live to be substaintially older."
At the University of Florida's Institute on Aging a study showed that eating just 8% less and exercising a little more over a lifespan can reduce or even reverse aging-related cell and organ damage.
Scientist still do not know why this works. They theorize that it lowers the metabolic rate and causes the body to generate fewer damaging "free radicals". One theory is that it decreases a thyroid hormone which then slows metabolism and tissue aging.
So how much less are they talking about here? The experts say that the general rule of thumb is to start eating about 15% less starting at age 25. But this is based on a typical healthy adult diet of about 2,000 calories. Thast means that this really applies to less than 1/3 of the population.
So what about everyone else? It is logical to state that this relates to all people no matter what thier shape or current health is currently. Start slowly by cutting 300 to 500 calories out of your diet today. Skipping desert or substituting a turkey sandwich (without nayonnaise or any special dressings) for that fast food burger will cut your calorie intake by at least 300 to 500 calories. A nutritional diet and exercise are important to any weight management program. After a few weeks look for ways to cut out another 300 to 500 calories. If you continue to do this along with an exercise program, you will lose weight and gain years on your life.
Eating fewer calories also reduces age-related chronic diseases such as cancers, heart disease, and stroke. That's important because it suggests ways to not just make us live longer, but allow us to age more gracefully, healthwise. The best way to implement all of this is to get a good personal trainer.
Restricting your calories can add up to 5 years on your life. Even the scientists who are cautious about anti-aging hype say it works. Eating less cuts the risks for some diseases and by allowing all body cells to hang in there longer.
"There is plenty of evidence that calorie restriction can reduce your risks for many common diseases including cancer, diabetes and heart disease," says Saint Louis University researcher Edward Weiss. "And you may live to be substaintially older."
At the University of Florida's Institute on Aging a study showed that eating just 8% less and exercising a little more over a lifespan can reduce or even reverse aging-related cell and organ damage.
Scientist still do not know why this works. They theorize that it lowers the metabolic rate and causes the body to generate fewer damaging "free radicals". One theory is that it decreases a thyroid hormone which then slows metabolism and tissue aging.
So how much less are they talking about here? The experts say that the general rule of thumb is to start eating about 15% less starting at age 25. But this is based on a typical healthy adult diet of about 2,000 calories. Thast means that this really applies to less than 1/3 of the population.
So what about everyone else? It is logical to state that this relates to all people no matter what thier shape or current health is currently. Start slowly by cutting 300 to 500 calories out of your diet today. Skipping desert or substituting a turkey sandwich (without nayonnaise or any special dressings) for that fast food burger will cut your calorie intake by at least 300 to 500 calories. A nutritional diet and exercise are important to any weight management program. After a few weeks look for ways to cut out another 300 to 500 calories. If you continue to do this along with an exercise program, you will lose weight and gain years on your life.
Eating fewer calories also reduces age-related chronic diseases such as cancers, heart disease, and stroke. That's important because it suggests ways to not just make us live longer, but allow us to age more gracefully, healthwise. The best way to implement all of this is to get a good personal trainer.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Avian Flu is Back on the Radar Screen Again
Here's an excerpt from a Natural Solutions Foundation newsletter:
Avian Flu is fluttering back into the news. We can expect more and more fraught reports of the dangers of this coming pandemic. Never mind that the supposed "vaccine" being cooked up is nonsense: the pandemic is to come and will be used for lock down and control by those who decide they need to shut down the last vestiges of a republic here in the US. The rest of the world will follow suit. And your body will be vaccinated with God Knows What unless you find a way to stop it before it starts.
We'll have a lot to say on this vitally important topic to help keep you informed and immunize you against the infection of misinformation the government is putting out. Here is information you need to know about a "Seasonal flu vaccine" which actually can bring about the much discussed pandemic - Flu Mist ®.
Please watch this important information before you subject yourself or your loved ones to FluMist® or any other flu vaccine.
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=zcniJxck0gI
For more information, see http://healthfreedomusa.org
Want my advice? Eat Carrots!!! (no joke)
For your best health,
Erleen Tilton
Avian Flu is fluttering back into the news. We can expect more and more fraught reports of the dangers of this coming pandemic. Never mind that the supposed "vaccine" being cooked up is nonsense: the pandemic is to come and will be used for lock down and control by those who decide they need to shut down the last vestiges of a republic here in the US. The rest of the world will follow suit. And your body will be vaccinated with God Knows What unless you find a way to stop it before it starts.
We'll have a lot to say on this vitally important topic to help keep you informed and immunize you against the infection of misinformation the government is putting out. Here is information you need to know about a "Seasonal flu vaccine" which actually can bring about the much discussed pandemic - Flu Mist ®.
Please watch this important information before you subject yourself or your loved ones to FluMist® or any other flu vaccine.
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=zcniJxck0gI
For more information, see http://healthfreedomusa.org
Want my advice? Eat Carrots!!! (no joke)
For your best health,
Erleen Tilton
Protein/Fat Difference in Meat!
Over a year ago, I attended a conference in which I wrote in my notes that meats in today's world are higher in omega-6 fats, and lower in omega-3 fats, whereas years ago it used to be just the opposite. It didn't really register what this really meant until recently when I came across a chart in a book¹ which clearly displayed this. (I hope you can see these facts though they are not in chart form.)
Protein and Fat in Wild Game and Modern Feedlot Meats (3.5 oz. portion)
Meats, Grams Protein, Grams Fat
Wild Game
Goat, 20.6, 3.8
Wild boar, 16.8, 8.3
Rabbit, 21.0, 5.0
Deer, 21.0, 4.0
Bison, 25.0, 3.8
Whale, 20.6, 7.5
Modern Feedlot Meats
Prime lamb loin, 14.7, 32.0
Ham, 15.2, 29.1
Regular hamburger, 17.9, 21.2
Choice sirloin steak, 16.9, 26.7
Pork loin, 16.4, 28.0
So what does this information tell us?
* Animals in the wild have a higher protein content and lower fat content, whereas animals in confined feedlots have a lower protein content with a fat content 4-10 times higher than those in the wild!
* Animals in the wild eat mostly grasses which are higher in omega-3 oils, while animals in feed lots are fattened on corn and soy which are high in omega-6 oils.
* Animals in the wild are leaner - not only do they not overeat, they get more exercise. In contrast, animals in feed lots are fed to fatten, and have little exercise.
In conclusion, for better weight control and a healthier body, give up eating the modern feed lot meats (from the grocery stores & restaurants). We have many great vegetable proteins that do us a whole lot more good especially in the summer time when it is hot. Then when we do eat meats, choose those from animals that are grass-fed, free to roam in uncrowded conditions, those who get good exercise - animals that are raised in happy surroundings.
If this makes sense to you, but you don't know where to start, that's why I created the Creatively Complete Dinners cookbook. You can have a copy of it in just a few days by ordering it right now at http://erleentilton.com/store.htm
I wish you the best always!
For your best health,
Erleen Tilton
Protein and Fat in Wild Game and Modern Feedlot Meats (3.5 oz. portion)
Meats, Grams Protein, Grams Fat
Wild Game
Goat, 20.6, 3.8
Wild boar, 16.8, 8.3
Rabbit, 21.0, 5.0
Deer, 21.0, 4.0
Bison, 25.0, 3.8
Whale, 20.6, 7.5
Modern Feedlot Meats
Prime lamb loin, 14.7, 32.0
Ham, 15.2, 29.1
Regular hamburger, 17.9, 21.2
Choice sirloin steak, 16.9, 26.7
Pork loin, 16.4, 28.0
So what does this information tell us?
* Animals in the wild have a higher protein content and lower fat content, whereas animals in confined feedlots have a lower protein content with a fat content 4-10 times higher than those in the wild!
* Animals in the wild eat mostly grasses which are higher in omega-3 oils, while animals in feed lots are fattened on corn and soy which are high in omega-6 oils.
* Animals in the wild are leaner - not only do they not overeat, they get more exercise. In contrast, animals in feed lots are fed to fatten, and have little exercise.
In conclusion, for better weight control and a healthier body, give up eating the modern feed lot meats (from the grocery stores & restaurants). We have many great vegetable proteins that do us a whole lot more good especially in the summer time when it is hot. Then when we do eat meats, choose those from animals that are grass-fed, free to roam in uncrowded conditions, those who get good exercise - animals that are raised in happy surroundings.
If this makes sense to you, but you don't know where to start, that's why I created the Creatively Complete Dinners cookbook. You can have a copy of it in just a few days by ordering it right now at http://erleentilton.com/store.htm
I wish you the best always!
For your best health,
Erleen Tilton
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Aging Baby Boomers
Baby boomers is the largest generation in the history of the US. These are people born between 1945 and 1964 and account for 76 million people. I am at the tail end of this and have had to deal with plenty of issues because of it. That would be a whole different type of blog.
What I want to address is the health of these and the many Americans that are older. Do you realize that there are 41 countries with longer life expectancies than the US? The life expectancy in the US ranges between 69 and 80 with an average of 77.6 years. There are three main reasons for this: poor insurance coverage, large immigrant population and the obesity epidemic.
Face it, Americans live in excess. Have you seen how many all-you-can-eat buffets there are? I live in the largest tourist destination in the world and we have a bunch of those. I was at a fitness seminar this weekend in the heart of the tourist area and I ate at one of those restaurants. There was very little that was healthy for you and people piled up their plate, several times, and ate everything!
I digress. Approximately 85% of all baby boomers will have the following chronic diseases by the age of 65: hypertension, coronary artery disease and diabetes. That is over 64 million people! And to top it all off, 75% of all American deaths are due to stroke, coronary artery disease and cancer. These can be prevented.
Of the three reasons for the US life expectancy being shorter than other countries I am going to address one of them here. It is the poor health insurance issue. Most of the countries that have longer life expectancies have health plans that are monitored or controlled by the government. The people pay higher taxes so everyone is covered. I am not advocating this only pointing out a fact. So the first issue is that everyone is covered, not just the people who can afford it.
The second, and I think most important, is that our health care system treats diseases, not prevent it. There needs to be prevention so the health care system can be used more effectively to take care of the real issues caused by accidents, genetics and natural causes.
This is where exercise comes in to play. Contrary to what some people may believe, exercise can not cure any disease. Exercise prevents deconditioning which preserves function and independence. It will also improve the quality of life.
It is never too late to start. Programs can be started at any age with any conditions. A good personal trainer will be able to work with you and any issues you may have. If you are diabetic, you can still work out. You just need to take a few precautions that others may not have to take.
My recommendation is that if you are not exercising and eating properly than you need to start now. Seek advice from knowledgable professionals. Once you start to feel better you will not want to stop.
What I want to address is the health of these and the many Americans that are older. Do you realize that there are 41 countries with longer life expectancies than the US? The life expectancy in the US ranges between 69 and 80 with an average of 77.6 years. There are three main reasons for this: poor insurance coverage, large immigrant population and the obesity epidemic.
Face it, Americans live in excess. Have you seen how many all-you-can-eat buffets there are? I live in the largest tourist destination in the world and we have a bunch of those. I was at a fitness seminar this weekend in the heart of the tourist area and I ate at one of those restaurants. There was very little that was healthy for you and people piled up their plate, several times, and ate everything!
I digress. Approximately 85% of all baby boomers will have the following chronic diseases by the age of 65: hypertension, coronary artery disease and diabetes. That is over 64 million people! And to top it all off, 75% of all American deaths are due to stroke, coronary artery disease and cancer. These can be prevented.
Of the three reasons for the US life expectancy being shorter than other countries I am going to address one of them here. It is the poor health insurance issue. Most of the countries that have longer life expectancies have health plans that are monitored or controlled by the government. The people pay higher taxes so everyone is covered. I am not advocating this only pointing out a fact. So the first issue is that everyone is covered, not just the people who can afford it.
The second, and I think most important, is that our health care system treats diseases, not prevent it. There needs to be prevention so the health care system can be used more effectively to take care of the real issues caused by accidents, genetics and natural causes.
This is where exercise comes in to play. Contrary to what some people may believe, exercise can not cure any disease. Exercise prevents deconditioning which preserves function and independence. It will also improve the quality of life.
It is never too late to start. Programs can be started at any age with any conditions. A good personal trainer will be able to work with you and any issues you may have. If you are diabetic, you can still work out. You just need to take a few precautions that others may not have to take.
My recommendation is that if you are not exercising and eating properly than you need to start now. Seek advice from knowledgable professionals. Once you start to feel better you will not want to stop.
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