Major Health Problems and Solutions! DR. BRAADT’S WELLNESS COLUMN
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Move your body throughout the day. It’s vital. Daily movement, including exercise, is being directly linked to the quality of your immune response . This means that the better shape your body is in, the better your defense response is to all disease processes. It’s not just about looking good! Get a good night’s sleep. I know you’re busy, but quality sleep is really important in minimizing future health problems. It’s much easier to handle the challenges that life can throw your way when you’re well-rested. Minimize both physical and emotional stress. Less stress can boost your immune system response. Of course, moving your body and eating healthy can help to minimize both of these stressors. Emotional stress raises cortisol and adrenal levels associated with a prolonged fight-or-flight response. This is now being directly linked to an increase in disease and lack of immunity. Turn off the news, phone, and computer screens — talk with or visit family and friends, work on a hobby, help another person, read a good book, watch a fun movie, laugh at least once a day, listen to music, and find meaningful work. I’m sure you have other ideas that can help.
My purpose in writing this article is to point out health problems that are prevalent in America and to provide you with workable solutions. These solutions can minimize your risk for health problems and maximize your ability to create the life of your dreams. Let’s talk money. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), health care costs for the average American exceed $10,000 each year. This expense is 16.9% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP — the total amount of all goods and services produced). This is the highest amount in the world. Up to 33% of these funds are spent on inefficiency, administration, and middlemen within the field of health care. This inefficiency costs all of us; it’s more like “sickness care” versus “health care.” There are better ways to address our health. The Problems Major health problems affecting Americans, according to research, are heart disease, cancer, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, gall bladder disease, sleep apnea, and arthritis. The common denominator in all these problems is the risk factor of obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. Most health problems begin in childhood. As a kid I ate very well because my mom prepared healthy meals. An exception to this was Friday night watching “Star Trek” in my room — I'd eat an entire box of blueberry Pop-Tarts with a quart of milk. This was short-lived. Unfortunately, for others, their habits are long-lasting. In fact, childhood obesity is exploding, affecting upward of 20% of children and adolescents. This doesn't just refer to being overweight, but being obese (BMI-body mass index over 30). In adulthood , this
obesity problem leads to the major health problems mentioned already. The Solutions I know I’ve said it before, but taking time to create healthy lifestyle habits is vital! It takes discipline and a purpose. Why is it important for you and your family to stay healthy? Since we’re at the beginning of the year, I suggest we all start with “How am I doing?” Let’s be honest. What’s the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to our lifestyle habits? Creating healthy lifestyle habits include these basics: • Never diet again — just eat correctly. My recommendation is always the eating style called Healthy Keto with intermittent fasting (IF) . It includes minimizing bread, cereal, pasta, and SUGAR and maximizing nutrient-dense foods including healthy fats, vegetables and deep greens, medium amounts of protein, and organic dairy products like milk, eggs, and cheese. Limit fruits to berries like strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries due to lower sugar content. As I’ve mentioned before, my major education resource of this eating style is Dr. Eric Berg
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(DrBerg.com) who I’ve trained with in the past. He has thousands of helpful YouTube videos. I align with his main emphasis of getting healthy and, in the process, losing weight, having more energy, and feeling great. You can pick up his booklet “Healthy Keto & Intermittent Fasting” at the office or on Amazon. If you have children, teach them, by example , to make healthy food choices in order to prevent adult health care problems and to move their bodies.
Take baby steps if needed, but take action now to create healthy lifestyle habits for yourself while helping those dear to you. Oh, and remember to create pleasure moments along the way. As always, I’m here to help as needed!
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–Dr. Paul Braadt
CedarCrestChiropractic.com
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