In recent history, 75% of deaths in the United States are attributed to only 8 factors, all of which can be easily prevented. Of these 8 factors, the top 3 account for 50% of total deaths in America. That is a staggering statistic.
So what are these 3 factors exactly? They are heart disease, cancer, and chronic lower respiratory disease.
Although there are many factors that attribute to someone succumbing to these diseases, they can be prevented.
The Killer Trio
The best way to prevent these diseases is to understand them and how we can expose ourselves to it on a day to day basis
Heart Disease
Not only is heart disease the leading cause of death in men and women in the United States, it’s also the number one killer worldwide. Heart disease is a term used to describe a multitude of conditions, most of them related to the buildup of plaque in the arteries. The most common heart disease conditions are heart attack, stroke, angina, arrhythmias, heart failure.
But how do we become susceptible to heart disease? Most often than not, the key underlying factor is inflammation. Chronic low-grade inflammation is commonly linked to all stages of atherosclerosis, the process which leads to clogged arteries. This means that inflammation is behind the most common heart diseases people suffer from today.
Cancer
Cancer is a non-discriminatory disease which means that it can affect anyone from newborns to grandparents. It sees no race, gender, or affiliation. Anyone can develop cancer, but your chances of cancer increase as you age. Cancer is defined as the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells.
Chronic inflammation may be a causative factor in most cancers. The longer that the inflammation persists, the more susceptible we become to the dangers of cancer. When your body experiences inflammation, it’s exposed to molecules that increase cell proliferation. This increase leads to proliferation of cells who lose normal growth control, forming cancers
Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease
Chronic lower respiratory disease (CLRD) is a group of different diseases that affect the lungs. These diseases cause breathing-related issues and airflow blockage. They include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma.
CLRD usually stems from some sort of inflammation caused by infection. Inflammation is your body’s way of protecting itself from infections by increasing blood flow to the infected area, bringing more white blood cells to defend it. But persistent inflammation only weakens your immune system, making you defenceless against CLRD causing infections like pneumonia.
Everyday Inflammation Risk
We expose ourselves to the risk of inflammation almost everyday, and usually from a place we never would have suspected: our food. Here is a list of some of the worst foods you could eat that cause inflammation.
Dairy
Milk was designed by nature to make calves gain weight quickly, but it has adverse affects on our human bodies, Contrary to popular belief, we do not need milk to grow strong bones, we need plant based foods. Milk is highly inflammatory to people who can’t break down the sugars in it (lactose) and the more processing (skimming) it goes through, the more inflammatory it is.
Sugar
Sugar companies try their best to sell us on the fact that sugar is natural because it comes from sugarcane, but it actually isn’t. All the minerals in it are removed from it when it becomes processed. Processed foods are a major influence when it comes to inflammation because of the processes they are put through create havoc on our system.
Refined Grains
These should be avoided altogether. Stay away from milled, fortified, or sweetened grains and limit your intake of pasta to once a week. Refined grains can also be found in pizza, white bread, and cereal so be conscious of that next time you’re at the grocery store.
Grain-Fed Meat
Animals that are grain-fed are contained in concentrated animal-feeding operations and are unhealthy because they are not grazing and roaming, which is natural for them. They are pumped with antibiotics, hormones and other drugs that we ingest when we eat products made from these animals, making us sick.
Tropical Fruits
These fruits are usually high in fructose and should be limited to once or twice a week for most people, and less for those suffering from diabetes. Also, people whose ancestors do not come from tropical areas may have trouble digesting these fruits.
Bad Fats
Vegetable oils, hydrogenated oils, and oils heated for frying or deep frying are not conducive to our health and should be avoided whenever possible.
Anti-Inflammatory Eats
These foods work to decrease inflammation in your body naturally, preventing diseases caused by inflammation.
- Fresh Vegetables
- Herbs
- Legumes
- Mushrooms
- Good Fats
- Organic Grass-Fed Meat
- Organic Poultry
- Non-Farmed, Fresh Ocean Fish
Protect yourself from the leading causes of death, not only in America but across the world. Inflammation is behind these diseases, but a few simple changes can help you overcome them and live a long, healthy life.
SOURCE: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/282929.php
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/food/inflammatory-foods
http://www.rodalewellness.com/food/anti-inflammatory-foods
