George Bernard Shaw was once quoted as saying...
"Everything I eat has been proved by some doctor or other to be a deadly poison, and everything I don't eat has been proved to be indespensable for life. But I go marching on".
Well, while some people have contitutions like an ox and can do most things wrong and get away with it, my brother being one on those fortunate people. The rest of us would benefit greatly from diet modifications and getting more exercise. This study published by Reuters is an example of just how powerful lifestyle changes can be. There is no substitute.
cw
Lifestyle trumps drugs for a healthy heart
Eating right, exercising can help cut risk of heart problems by 87 percent
By Amanda Beck
Reuters
WASHINGTON - Even men who take medication for high blood pressure or cholesterol can dramatically cut their risk of heart disease by adopting a healthy lifestyle, U.S. researchers reported on Monday.
Middle-aged men on these medications can reduce their chances of heart problems by 57 percent by eating right, not smoking, drinking in moderation and maintaining a healthy weight while exercising regularly, the researchers said.
Those who do not take the drugs can cut their risk of heart ailments by 87 percent if they adopt these lifestyle choices.
"This shows there's no substitute for a healthy lifestyle," said Stephanie Chiuve, lead author of the study to be published in Circulation: Journal of The American Heart Association.
The study tracked 43,000 men between 40 and 75 who were free of diabetes, heart disease and other chronic conditions when the study began in 1986. They completed biannual questionnaires and researchers used the data to tease out correlations between heart disease and lifestyle habits.
The benefits of the healthy habits were apparent even if they were adopted over time.
"In other words, it's never to late to change," said Chiuve. "You can still achieve benefits if you make changes in middle age or later in life."
Men with the lowest risk of heart disease were those who practiced all five healthy habits, but not smoking alone reduced the risk of heart problems by 50 percent, she said.
Comment: While there is controversy on what constitutes a healthy diet, I feel the more you adopt a diet that mimics the Hunter-Gatherer's that have and still do roam the earth, the better of you will be. Also there are alternative approaches to drugs to improve heart disease and type 2 diabetes in those who would prefer taking less drugs.
Christopher Wiechert, C.N.C.
Christopher Wiechert's Healthblogger is for educational or informational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose or provide treatment for any condition. If you have any concerns about your own health, you should always consult with a healthcare professional. If you decide to use this information on your own, it's your constitutional right, but I assume no responsibility.
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