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Good Nutrition Can Help Prevent Chronic Diseases
by Eleanor Kurtus, PhD (revised 10 August 2015)
Chronic disease is related to lifestyle, which includes things like what you eat and whether you exercise or not. Having a chronic disease is expensive both money-wise and in relation to quality of life. Many chronic diseases are preventable and nutrition plays a key role.
Questions you may have include:
- How prevalent are chronic diseases?
- How can chronic diseases be prevented?
This lesson will answer those questions. Health Disclaimer
Prevalence of chronic degenerative disease
The leading cause of death in the United States is chronic degenerative diseases. These are persistent conditions that develop slowly and swallow 75% of all health care costs. They compromise quality of life and lead to premature death and disability. These chronic conditions are heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, obesity, respiratory diseases and oral conditions.
In the United States alone, 64 million people have cardiovascular disease and 70% of adults are overweight. Heart disease is the leading cause of death followed by cancer, strokes and pulmonary disease.
Prevention of chronic diseases
The chronic conditions listed above - heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, obesity, respiratory disease and oral conditions - are for the most part preventable.
Much of the illness, suffering and early death is caused by four modifiable risk factors: poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, tobacco use, and excessive alcohol consumption. The CDC reports that the chronic diseases listed above are among the most preventable and that “there is indisputable evidence for the power of prevention”. Nutritional excellence is a key factor in prevention and recovery.
Facts on nutrition
Here are some facts related to poor nutrition and quality nutrition:
Some facts related to poor nutrition
- Industrialized countries have shifted from being underfed to being overfed and overweight.
- Being overweight is linked to hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes.
- Obesity is associated to a two-fold increase in mortality according to the National Institutes of Health.
- An autopsy study found that 85% of young adults already had atherosclerotic plaque in their coronary arteries.
- Fifteen research studies found that diets containing refined grains and refined sweets were linked to stomach and colon cancers.
- At least 40% of the calories in the American diet come from refined grains and sugar.
Quick facts about quality nutrition
- A healthy diet contains whole foods and consists of fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and whole grains.
- Plant foods provide thousands of phytochemicals.
- Hundreds of research studies provide consistent evidence that ample intake of fruits and vegetables reduces the risk of chronic diseases.
- Diets high in fruits and vegetables can help prevent bone loss, reduce the risk of cancer, and decrease the risk of eye diseases such as cataracts or macular degeneration.
- There is a beneficial association between fruit consumption and lung health.
Summary
Nutrient-dense foods are important in helping to avoid chronic diseases. Other important factors are physical activity, absence of tobacco use and moderation with alcohol.
References
Fuhrman, J. (2011). Eat to live: The amazing nutrient-rich program for fast and sustained weight loss. New York: Little Brown and Company.
Higdon, J. (2007). An evidence-based approach to dietary phytochemicals. New York: Thieme.
The complete CDC report may be found at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website or through this link http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/pdf/2009-Power-of-Prevention.pdf
Eat hardy; eat healthy
Resources and references
Websites
Dr. Joel Fuhrman - "How to live, for life" website
Books
(Notice: The School for Champions may earn commissions from book purchases)
An Evidence-Based Approach to Dietary Phytochemicals by Jane Higdon; Thieme (2007)
Super Immunity by Dr. Joel Fuhrmann (2012)
Secrets of Healthy Cooking by Dr. Joel Fuhrmann (2007)
Students and researchers
The Web address of this page is:
www.school-for-champions.com/nutrition/
nutrition_can_prevent_disease.htm
Please include it as a link on your website or as a reference in your report, document, or thesis.
Where are you now?
Good Nutrition Can Help Prevent Chronic Diseases