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Reduce Your Risk for Chronic Disease with Simple Diet Changes

Reduce disease, good diet

Reduce disease with healthy food and a good diet.

Watching your diet is one way to lose weight, but there are many other benefits to eating healthy. A poor diet can contribute to the development of heart disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, liver disease, arthritis, high blood pressure and certain cancers. Maintaining a well-balanced diet will not only give you a healthier lifestyle, but can slow down the onset of many chronic diseases.

Cancer

According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, to try and help lower your risk for cancer you should eat fruits and vegetables, and limit your alcohol consumption.

Maintaining a healthy weight may reduce the risk of various types of cancers, including esophageal, colorectal, pancreatic, endometrial and renal cancer. Eating vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans provides fiber and other nutrients with natural plant compounds that may protect against cancer.  Limiting high-sugar drinks, such as juice and soda can help as well, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research.

Pull-out fact: Air-popped popcorn contains a polyphenol plant compound that may help protect against cancer. However, microwaveable popcorn does not have this compound and contains toxic chemicals, so it should be eliminated from your diet, according to Prevention.com.

Gallbladder Disease/ Osteoporosis

The risk of gallbladder disease can be reduced by eating foods high in fiber, low-fat dairy products and protein, according to WebMD. To lower your risk for osteoporosis and increase bone strength, experts recommending adding more calcium, protein and Vitamin D to your diet. Women are typically at a higher risk for gallbladder disease as well as osteoporosis.

Heart Disease

Heart disease and coronary heart disease usually go hand-in-hand with high blood pressure. Limiting your sodium intake and adding whole grains to your diet will improve your blood pressure levels and reduce your risk of a stroke or heart disease, according to The Mayo Clinic.

Alzheimer’s and Dementia

The brain needs nutrients to operate. A healthy diet can help prevent early onset of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, per HelpGuide.org. In addition to eating fruits and vegetables, lean proteins and healthy fats, and following a Mediterranean diet may help cut the risk of developing dementia. The Mediterranean diet includes an abundance of fish, nuts, whole grains, olive oil and lots of fresh produce.

On a daily basis, most people don’t think about how important their diet is and how eating right can help prevent the early onset of many diseases. Choosing nutritious foods and keeping a healthy weight will help you feel better, have more energy and maybe even live longer.

Article by Hector De La Torre for the Transamerica Center for Health Studies: https://www.transamericacenterforhealthstudies.org/

 

Wello Inc. VIP Guest Author

Hector De La Torre , Wello Inc. VIP Guest Author for Wellness Blog

Hector De La Torre is the Executive Director of the Transamerica Center for Health Studies, a nonprofit that helps consumers and businesses navigate the health care and wellness landscapes. De La Torre brings extensive private and public sector experience, particularly his leadership role on health care issues, to his position.

Transamerica Center for Health Studies(R) (TCHS) is a division of Transamerica Institute(R) , a nonprofit, private foundation and funded by contributions from Transamerica Life Insurance Company and its affiliates and may receive funds from unaffiliated third parties. TCHS and their representatives cannot give ERISA, tax, or legal advice, and TCHS is not an agent of any government agency including, but not limited to, state or federal health benefit exchanges. This material is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as ERISA, tax, or legal advice.


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