Eating Right To Stay Alive

Why is mortality in women on the increase? This question pops up in my mind each time I flip through the dailies and observe the domineering obituary of women who die at an unripe age. Some are of the opinion that this sad increase might be associated with the fragility of women which consequently makes them more venerable to diseases. But of more concern is the fact that, the health risks that used to be associated with men's health are presently manifesting in women; heart disease, stress related illness, insomnia, diabetes e.t.c.

Undoubtedly, death is inevitable which implies that everyone would certainly die, but not prematurely! Apart from natural death, others could be averted only if women hearken to and apply the basic principles of healthy living by avoiding factors that lead to untimely death such as; stress, bad habit/life style. Other common women killer diseases includes heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic lower respiratory diseases, accidents (unintentional injuries) diabetes mellitus, influenza and pneumonia, kidney disease, chronic liver disease and cirrhosis, renal disease, hypertension e.t.c.

Today a lot of women dwell in dirty environment and indulge themselves in unhealthy lifestyle and bad eating habits which predispose them to infections and diseases. This apparently speaks audibly for itself, since several health researches reveal that most illness are hygiene and food related.

A study which appeared in the Archives of Internal Medicine finds that eating large amounts of red meat may increase the risk of death. Researchers at the National Cancer Institute look at the connection between red meat consumption and health and found that the people who eat the most red meat, which includes beef and pork products, are at greater risk of dying than those who eat the least red meat. Eating more red meat increased the risk of death by any cause by 31 percent for men and 36 percent for women. The risk of cancer death increased 22 percent for men and 20 percent for women and the risk of death due to cardiovascular disease increased 27 percent for men and 50 percent for women.

Red meat could contribute to the risk of death in several ways. Cooking red meat at high temperatures creates cancer-causing compounds. Red meat is also a source of saturated fat, which has been tied to an increase in the risk of some cancers and also increases several measures associated with heart disease, including blood pressure and LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels the report noted.

Another research from Harvard and the National Institutes of Health reported that women who carry excess fat around their waists were at greater risk of dying early from cancer or heart disease than were women with smaller waistlines, even if they were of normal weight.

Taking of pills to enhance beauty and to keep shape has become predominant in ladies today, neglecting that most of these pills also have side effects. Have you given thought to the health hazard associated with chemically synthesized creams advertised for breast and buttocks enlargement? Medically they have been affirmed to be the leading causes of cancer and fibroid in our women. Sugary food and pastries made from white flour and vegetable oil is also classified as unhealthy for the body.

As women, we should not let our health go without concern and planning. We should be totally aware of our body, how it functions, what keeps us operating at peak performance, and practice habits that would help easy transition into grey age like; leading a physically active life, eating healthy diet, and taking care of our skin to give us a youthful appearance. Maintaining a healthy weight is a corner stone in the prevention of chronic diseases and premature death, therefore we must learn more about weight control, obesity, physical activity, and related nutritional issues, improved standards of hygiene, and steps to prevent infectious diseases

Tips:

• Rest at least 7 hours of sleep each night.
• Eat right by adding lots of fruits and vegetables to what you eat daily
• Drink lots of water.
• Do simple exercise.
• Avoid smoking.
• Take little alcohol or stay away completely.
• Maintain a healthy weight and a trim waistline.
• Take a lot of fresh natural air instead of staying under an air conditioner.
• Watch the body cream/lotion you apply.
• Stay way from Antibiotics, Aspartame- An artificial sweetener made from aspartic acid; used as a calorie-free sweetener,
• MSG - Mono Sodium Glutamate- White crystalline compound used as a food additive to enhance flavor, Pesticides
• Carcinogens- Any substance that produces cancer.

Woman be wise, do not use your teeth to dig your grave.