Each year here in the States, more than 1.5 million people die from heart disease, cancer and stroke. Believe it or not, that’s more than the number of American soldiers who died in the Civil War, Korean War and Vietnam War put together. And it’s happening every year.
If you want to live a long, healthy, happy life, here are the three best healthy living tips to put into practice ASAP.
One – Stop Smoking. Tobacco is a killer. It doesn’t make any difference if you’re using cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco or snuff, tobacco is harmful in all its many forms. Besides lung cancer, tobacco is linked to nearly fifteen other types of deadly cancer. And secondhand smoke is just as dangerous, affecting thousands of people, including children, with asthma, pneumonia, ear infections and sudden infant death syndrome. So, if you smoke or use tobacco in any form, it’s wise to stop ASAP. And stay as far away as you can from anyone else smoking.
Two – Eat a healthy Diet. The Standard American Diet (SAD) of burgers, fries and shakes is responsible for the obesity and nutritional crisis in the U.S and around the world. And excess weight, obesity and unhealthy nutrition are major causative factors in the skyrocketing rates of heart disease, stroke and cancer. Weight problems are linked to higher rates of breast and pancreatic cancer, as well as more than a dozen other cancers.
You can manage your weight and lower your risk of cancer by eating a diet low in fat and high in fiber. Do this by including at least five to nine daily servings of fruit and vegetables along with lots of whole grain breads and cereals. At the same time, cut way back on your intake of alcohol and processed and red meats. Men should limit their alcohol to no more than two drinks a day, women to one or less.
Three – Stay Physically Active. Exercising on a regular basis is just as important as a healthy diet in order to maintain a healthy weight and a reduced risk of cancer. There’s no need to join a gym or health club, as long as get up off of the couch and get moving. A brisk thirty-minute walk around the block four or five days a week is more than sufficient.
If you follow these three healthy tips, you can significantly lower your risk of cancer.
Beth Hoover – Beth is an advocate of healthy living through common sense health practices like nutrition, fitness and stress management.