Just four simple ways? Yep. The four ways are not only simple; they are easy. So, let’s get right down to the nitty-gritty and see what they are.
First, let’s look at an article from Science Daily Reducing sugar in packaged foods can prevent disease in millions :
“Cutting 20% of sugar from packaged foods and 40% from beverages could prevent 2.48 million cardiovascular disease events (such as strokes, heart attacks, cardiac arrests), 490,000 cardiovascular deaths, and 750,000 diabetes cases in the U.S. over the lifetime of the adult population, according to a micro-simulation study published in Circulation.”
Furthermore,
A proposal from the U.S. National Salt and Sugar Reduction Program( NSSRI) shows the following:
“Ten years after the NSSRI policy goes into effect, the U.S. could expect to save $4.28 billion in total health costs, and $118.04 billion over the lifetime of the current adult population (ages 35 to 79) . . .These benefits are likely to be an underestimation since the calculations were conservative.”
It’s not just simple processed foods doing the damage; it’s the ultra-processed foods that are staples in many homes, such as pizza, soda, fast food, sweets, salty snacks, canned soups, and most breakfast cereals, according to a Science Daily article, Americans are eating more ultra-processed foods
To add insult to injury, read this article in Science Daily, How highly processed foods harm memory in the aging brain. We read:
“Four weeks on a diet of highly processed food led to a strong inflammatory response in the brains of aging rats, accompanied by behavioral signs of memory loss. . . Researchers also found that supplementing the processed diet with omega-3 fatty acid and DHA prevented memory problems and almost reduced inflammatory effects in older rats. “
Of course, we are rats, but omega-3 fatty acids unquestionably improve nutrition in humans. To rev up memory, from personal experience, nothing better than eating a cup or more of blueberries daily. (Frozen blueberries from Costco are fantastic.)
Next to last is exercise. Few older people enjoy exercise, but it’s one of the most important things we can do for ourselves. Another Science Daily article, Data continues to show that American’s need at least 5 hours per week of physical activity to prevent some cancers, and your age doesn’t matter. So everyone needs to do SOME exercise daily. From the article:
“A new report finds that 46,000 cancer cases annually in the United States could be prevented if Americans met the 5 hours per week of moderate-intensity recommended physical activity guidelines. . . “
Finally, there is water. When your body is adequately hydrated, you not only feel better, but you look better. When you don’t drink enough water, the wrinkles on your face and body look exaggerated. Up to 60% of the human adult body is water. The brain and heart are composed of 73% water, and the lungs are about 83% water. The skin contains 64% water, muscles and kidneys are 79%, and even the bones are watery: 31%.
At one time, a woman told me she never drinks water. She drinks Coca-Cola instead. You don’t do that, do you?
So get your half-gallon pitcher, fill it with water and drink it during the day. It will be easier if you pour water from the pitcher into a six-ounce glass. Drink – fill up – and repeat as often as possible. Your brain and body will love you. Incidentally, it may help alleviate constipation as well!
THE BOTTOM LINE
You are responsible for your health. It’s not your family’s responsibility, your doctor’s responsibility, or the government’s responsibility. It’s up to you to decide what you want to do and then take the bull by the horns and do it!
It will be a huge help if you know what your health situation is right now. (Your doctor doesn’t always know — he’s making an educated guess much of the time.) The only way I know is to invest in the new technology now available that will tell you just about everything you would ever want to know about your mind and body and what you need to do to fix whatever needs fixing.
That technology is available at TruDiagnostic.com. You will need to supply them with a blood sample that, when processed, will reveal your REAL age, determined by analysis of the health and vitality of your body’s cells. You will also receive detailed information about what your body needs for optimum health.
Be aware that your biological age revealed through this test may show your body is older than your chronological age! If that is your situation, be grateful — it’s a wake-up call to turn your health around through more intelligent lifestyle choices. It’s an exciting opportunity to invest in your future health. If you decide to invest in the test, use the word “putonhold” on the checkout page to receive a $50 discount.
There is little worse than getting to your older years in poor health, perhaps dealing with a lingering debilitating illness that requires your dependence on others for your survival. Don’t blame the decline on your genes. According to John W. Rowe, M.D., in his remarkable book, Successful Aging, only 30% of physical aging can be blamed on our genes. While you have the opportunity to do so, do as much as you can to value and care for the only body you will ever have. It will pay huge dividends when you need them most.
At 92, I can tell you the payoff for the many years taking care of my health is phenomenal. I have certainly not achieved perfection, but no one is pushing me around in a wheelchair, and I can live how I choose to. According to the TruAge Diagnostic test, my cellular (biological) age is 74, and based on the length of my telomeres, I am seventy. I’m not bragging. I’m just so grateful.
Anytime is a good time to start to take better care of yourself. The mind and body are amazingly responsive to consistent, loving care. Start now. Don’t ever buy another box of ultra-processed, crappy, sugar-laden cereal again!
Awesome article, Barbara! And you are evidence of that which you advocate!