Heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes are among the leading causes of death in the United States today. They account for nearly two-thirds of all heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes, the leading causes of death in the United States today. They account for about two-thirds of all deaths each year. All these diseases are related to diet and lifestyle.
A person’s genetic makeup is an important determinant of his or her risk for developing these diseases, but lifestyle choices—such as poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking and alcohol abuse—also play an important role. People can’t control the genes they inherit, but they can control the foods they eat and how much exercise they get. A healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of developing the disease, and slow the progression of any conditions people already have.
A regular program of exercise boosts fitness levels and helps keep weight within a healthy range. It also lowers the risk of chronic diseases including heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, cancer and osteoporosis. In addition, exercise promotes psychological well-being, reduces depression and anxiety, and improves mood, sleep patterns, and overall outlook on life. It stimulates the release of chemicals called endorphins, which are thought to be natural tranquilizers that play a role in what athletes describe as an “exercise high.” In addition to producing exercise euphoria, endorphins are believed to reduce anxiety, aid in relaxation, and improve mood, pain tolerance, and appetite control.
a healthy body weight
A healthy body weight Associated with well-being and longevity. Having excess body fat increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, gall bladder disease, sleep disorders, respiratory problems and some types of cancer. Maintaining weight at an appropriate level reduces the risk of these diseases. For athletes, a healthy weight can also optimize performance. Calculating body mass index (BMI) can be used to determine whether weight is in a healthy range. Since BMI considers total body weight rather than the amount of body weight from muscle versus fat, athletes who have a large amount of muscle mass may have a BMI in the overweight or obese category. This does not mean that their weight poses a health risk. Only excess weight than fat is considered unhealthy.
Both diet and exercise are necessary to maintain weight. When people consume the same number of calories as they use, weight remains stable. Regular exercise increases energy use so it allows the exercising person to consume more food without gaining weight. For example, an active 20-year-old woman needs to eat about 500 calories more per day to maintain weight than a sedentary woman of the same age, height and weight. Choosing a diet rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables and moderate in fat maximizes nutrient intake without providing too many calories.
heart disease
Generally, when we use the term heart disease, we are talking about atherosclerosis. This is a condition in which fatty material gets deposited in the walls of the arteries. This causes the arteries to narrow and become less elastic. People with obesity, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol levels or diabetes are more likely to develop atherosclerosis. The risk of developing atherosclerosis is also increased by lifestyle choices, such as cigarette smoking, lack of exercise, and a diet high in saturated fat, cholesterol, and trans fat. A diet high in fiber, antioxidants (such as vitamins C and E), and fish and plant oils, which are high in healthy unsaturated fats, may reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. Adding exercise to this healthy mix lowers the risk.
Aerobic exercise reduces the risk of atherosclerosis by lowering blood pressure and raising levels of a healthy type of blood cholesterol called HDL cholesterol. Aerobic exercise also strengthens the heart muscle, which lowers the resting heart rate and reduces the workload of the heart.
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Source by Ajibola Tolani
