It's never too late to be healthy

[dannyboy]

Late starters can benefit from healthy habits (http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070629/hl_nm/heart_lifestyle_dc)

By Ishani Ganguli
1 hour, 6 minutes ago



Even in middle age, adopting a healthy lifestyle can lower the risk for heart disease and premature death within years of changing habits, researchers reported on Thursday.

Middle-aged adults who began eating five or more fruits and vegetables every day, exercising for at least 2 1/2 hours a week, keeping weight down and not smoking decreased their risk of heart disease by 35 percent and risk of death by 40 percent in the four years after they started.

"The adopters of a healthy lifestyle basically caught up. Within four years, their mortality rate and rate of heart attacks matched the people who had been doing these behaviors all along," said Dr. Dana King at the Medical University of South Carolina, who led the research.

That is not to say people should wait until their 40s or 50s to get on track, he added.

"But even if you have not had a healthy lifestyle previously, it's not too late to adopt those healthy lifestyle habits and gain almost immediate benefits."

King and his team set out to find if late-starters could reap the rewards of habits like eating vegetables and walking 30 minutes a day.

When they began tracking nearly 16,000 Americans between the ages of 45 and 64 in the late 1980s, only 8.5 percent were following all four of the habits they were studying, they reported in the American Journal of Medicine.

Out of the other adults, 8.4 percent started practicing all four habits by six years after the study began.

Those 970 lifestyle converts were most likely to pick up the fruit and vegetable habit at that late stage. Losing weight to fall within the healthy to overweight range -- which the researchers counted as one of the healthy habits -- was the least popular change.

LIVING LONGER

When they had picked up all four habits, they enjoyed a sharp decline in heart disease risk and in death from any cause.

It took all four -- having just three of the healthy habits yielded no heart benefits and a more modest decrease in overall risk of death.

Still, said Dr. Nichola Davis at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, "these benefits are on a continuum. The more of the healthy habits that you can adapt, the better. ...These are modest changes that they're talking about."

King's team took age, gender, race, and other risk categories for cardiovascular disease into account, although King said the converts likely took up other healthy life changes -- such as cutting down on salt or upping their calcium intake -- that might have contributed to their health benefits.

He and Davis, who was not involved in the study, said they were troubled so few Americans were doing them.

In particular, men, blacks, people with less education and lower incomes, and people with high blood pressure or diabetes were less likely to follow the health guidelines from the beginning or adopt them later in life.

[Chomp Samba]

I guess there's hope for me yet.

[akip]

i caught a little bit of a charlie rose on widespread obesity and bad health from lifestyle. they were talking about stats and the results of hard research. one of the experts said that the human body was never programmed to handle the massive ingestion of all this shit---high fructose corn syrup and all that other crap.

so yeah, it's not too late...though i've seen people in their 50s who've already destroyed themselves beyond the breaking point and will live out the rest of their days in a nursing home.

i'm starting to believe that instead of going in the army, maybe the 21-year-olds of america should do a year-long, low-paid stint in the medical system---get a firsthand look at how miserable it is to live with the consequences of diabetes and hypertension.

[REMgirl]

Well, I am 49 and was overweight and out of shape. I had to have my gall bladder taken out a year ago and I started to get concerned about my general health. My mother's side of the family is Diabetic Central, and I knew I was heading right down that road.

So since the end of January I've been working out and eating smart. I have lost 31 pounds and 30 inches. I had bought a pair of size 18 jeans in December; I just bought a pair of size 6's last week. I went from 183 to 152 in five months.

I feel so much better and have lots more energy. I have no intention of going back to how I used to be. I may not be in perfect health, but now if something does crop up, I'll be in much better shape to fight it, and I'll have hopefully prevented some other potentially harmful diseases as well. :)

[DLDude]

Nice REMgirl!!!!!!! I love to hear stories like that.

[Angel30]

Yes, congrats REMgirl. Keep it up. :)

[REMgirl]

Thanks! :) Trust me, if I can do it, anyone can. Half of it's in your head, the rest is in your body. It's easier when you're younger, too. I have to fight both my matabolism AND gravity. ;)

[akip]

i went back and rewatched the first 16 minutes of the aforementioned charlie rose about obesity (would've had to buy it to watch the rest).

interesting factoids---american obesity rates (esp. at the tail, or the highest end of the BMI index) began to go up in the early 80s. why is that?

because, at that point in time, american agricultural/food companies started producing MORE food and in order to sell all that food, increased the marketing and distribution of it---this coincided with the advent of the "shareholder value movement" where wall street expected businesses to increase profits every quarter. which meant that americans needed to be enticed to consume more food. so we became surrounded by food---bigger portions, and more places to eat it. for instance, no one used to eat in bookstores---now you can eat almost anywhere.

the third factor is that women went to work in droves and the demand for convenience foods skyrocketed.

so i guess this means if you want to refrain from overeating, keep food out of your sight as much as possible and stay out of the take out line.

[REMgirl]

Two words: corn syrup. :eek:

When I first started to change my eating habits, I gave up soda, knowing it was loaded with sugar. I switched to Crangrape juice. But when I read the label, I was shocked to find that it's loaded with high fructose corn syrup. I'm a label reader now, and if corn syrup's in the food, I don't eat it. I couldn't believe it's in something as simple as bread and butter pickles, but it's in there, too.

Sugar cravings are tough to fight, and if it's in everything, you can never get away from it! Knowledge is power when you are trying to lose weight. You have to know what's in your food. :confused:

[Sushi]

Sugar cravings are tough to fight, and if it's in everything, you can never get away from it!
Hi. My name is Sushi and I'm a sugar addict.

[REMgirl]

Hi. My name is Sushi and I'm a sugar addict.

So that's why you're such a sweetie! ;)

I quit it cold turkey, I really did. No candy, cake, ice cream, nothing with added sugar. i do eat fruit, which contains natural sugars, but not stuff with refined or high fructose contents. At first it was tough, but now I don't miss it. And I don't crave it. And I don't drink diet soda or use any artificial sweeteners. I think those can be just as bad for you as real sugar.

I scared myself a little bit the other day when I was craving...carrots!

[frizgolf]

HFCS is the devil.
Do away with soda, chips, fried food, donuts and cake. Instant loss.

[1979]

HFCS is the devil.
Do away with soda, chips, fried food, donuts and cake. Instant loss.


What in the hell would I eat then? :p :D

[akip]

What in the hell would I eat then? :p :D

rice cakes and cereal made of pencil shavings. what's your problem? :p

[Sushi]

So that's why you're such a sweetie! ;)

I quit it cold turkey, I really did. No candy, cake, ice cream, nothing with added sugar. i do eat fruit, which contains natural sugars, but not stuff with refined or high fructose contents. At first it was tough, but now I don't miss it. And I don't crave it. And I don't drink diet soda or use any artificial sweeteners. I think those can be just as bad for you as real sugar.

I scared myself a little bit the other day when I was craving...carrots!
I am trying to do the same. Seriously, I've gone 24 hours without sugar--cookies, a bit of candy, whatever--and I absolutely feel the craving for it. It's weird and slightly pathetic. I've never been a soda drinker, so that isn't a problem. I love fruit, but natural sugars are quite different from refined sugars. We only buy juice that's 100% juice, and I always water it down a bit too. My problem is candy/cookies/etc. If there's a bowl of M&Ms or a plate of cookies, I'll nibble on those fuckers till the cows come home. Gotta stop that.

[REMgirl]

People laugh about being addicted to sugar, but it's a real problem. Getting away from it is very hard, because there is sugar in everything and when it's not there naturally, it gets added!

It was tough for me at first because I have kids and I was still buying them all the junk they like to snack on. Of course, it occured to me that if I was going to eat healthy, then they really should, too. I have cut back on junk snacks for them, but not entirely. I'm not really tempted by that stuff anymore, though. Even if it's all around me, I just don't eat it. Because of the diabetes in our family, I have told myself that sugar=poison and if I eat it, I'll get sick. Kind of a bizarro way to think about it, but it works for me. :o

By now my extended family knows I won't be eating birthday cake, etc, so they no longer try to force me to eat it or make me feel guilty for not joining in. I get lots of positive feedback for my weight loss, too, so that helps. :)

[akip]

don't forget to pare down on the salt while you're at it.

[REMgirl]

don't forget to pare down on the salt while you're at it.

No kidding. It's worse for those with high blood pressure and heart issues, I think. I automatically cut down on it when I gave up chips and other junky snacks, but I have to watch it with other food.

Salt is another thing that sneaks into our processed food. Soups and packaged meals are terrible about that.

[Sushi]

No kidding. It's worse for those with high blood pressure and heart issues, I think. I automatically cut down on it when I gave up chips and other junky snacks, but I have to watch it with other food.

Salt is another thing that sneaks into our processed food. Soups and packaged meals are terrible about that.
I've always been vigilant about sodium content, since there's high blood pressure on both sides of my family. So many prepared foods just pack in sodium like there's no tomorrow. Do you really need to get 37% of your recommended daily alotment of sodium from one frozen dinner? It's nuts.

[akip]

I've always been vigilant about sodium content, since there's high blood pressure on both sides of my family. So many prepared foods just pack in sodium like there's no tomorrow. Do you really need to get 37% of your recommended daily alotment of sodium from one frozen dinner? It's nuts.

go read the morton salt box---see how much sodium's in just 1/4 tsp. of salt. i was a little bit shocked, considering i just toss a teaspoon or so into what i'm cooking routinely.

[REMgirl]

The crap in our food is insidious, that's for sure. However accurate the food labeling system may or may not be, at least it's a guide. I don't buy anything new without checking out the ingredients anymore.

While I have given up most everything bad for me, I still have to eat cheese. I love a good sharp cheddar, and so I just have a little bit every day. And I eat peanut butter, a half sandwich on whole grain bread, too. Some protein is required and so is fiber. It's give and take. ;)

[patio]

go read the morton salt box---see how much sodium's in just 1/4 tsp. of salt. i was a little bit shocked, considering i just toss a teaspoon or so into what i'm cooking routinely.

Well (0.25tsp*4.93ml/1tsp)(2.17g/ml)(.39)=1.04 grams of sodium per 1/4 teaspoon

Na has a molar mass of 22.99 and Cl 35.45 and together 58.44 so Na has a weight ratio of 22.99/58.44=.39*100=39%

and no I could never have done that all from memory

[akip]

Well (0.25tsp*4.93ml/1tsp)(2.17g/ml)(.39)=1.04 grams of sodium per 1/4 teaspoon

Na has a molar mass of 22.99 and Cl 35.45 and together 58.44 so Na has a weight ratio of 22.99/58.44=.39*100=39%

and no I could never have done that all from memory

smartass. :p

[akip]

but the recommended daily allotment of sodium is 1 tsp. (2400 mg) a day.

ain't much, is it.

[patio]

but the recommended daily allotment of sodium is 1 tsp. (2400 mg) a day.

ain't much, is it.

Apparently the density of NaCl varies wildly. Looks like the FDA uses 1.25grams/ml whereas the density I got from a chemistry refrence was 2.17grams/ml. So 1/4 teaspoon is more like .6 grams depending on how fine you grind your salt.

[classicgrrl]

actually there is one instance where it is too late to get healthy.

when you're dead. :p

[akip]

Apparently the density of NaCl varies wildly. Looks like the FDA uses 1.25grams/ml whereas the density I got from a chemistry refrence was 2.17grams/ml. So 1/4 teaspoon is more like .6 grams depending on how fine you grind your salt.

my mediterranean sea salt is 480 mg per tsp. as opposed to 590 mg. for mortons.

[The_Deacon]

but the recommended daily allotment of sodium is 1 tsp. (2400 mg) a day.

ain't much, is it.
Not at all!!!!

My blood pressure and cholesterol topped out about 2 months ago and I topped out at 238 lbs. At that point, the doc told me what was up. I needed to change everything, and that I have done. I am down to 222 lbs. and everything else is coming down with it.

Sodium is my weakness. I don't like sweets really, except for the occasional starburst. I have not drank a pop in 10 years maybe. I just love salty, fried, fatty foods. I love red meat, lunch meat, pork, pork fat, cheese, and mayo. I have not had any of those in two months. I am a Chef, so all this shit is all up in my face 45 hours a week, and that makes it that much more difficult.

Ironically my biggest temptation so far happened today. I drove past a Burger King, and the sign out front said "2 for $3 Whoppers"........ my bottom lip quivered a bit, I down shifted from 3rd to 2nd gear.....and then prevailed and drove on. :cool:

[akip]

Sodium is my weakness. I don't like sweets really,

same here, but since i have low blood pressure (seems genetic) it hasn't (yet) been an issue for me personally. but i have to really start watching it in cooking for my family---my doc friend's told me he thinks it's a more dangerous substance for most people than sugar.

[juggles]

Anyone else view this article as an excuse to put off working out for another day?

[akip]

Anyone else view this article as an excuse to put off working out for another day?

you could. and another one and another one.

[REMgirl]

Not at all!!!!

My blood pressure and cholesterol topped out about 2 months ago and I topped out at 238 lbs. At that point, the doc told me what was up. I needed to change everything, and that I have done. I am down to 222 lbs. and everything else is coming down with it.

Sodium is my weakness. I don't like sweets really, except for the occasional starburst. I have not drank a pop in 10 years maybe. I just love salty, fried, fatty foods. I love red meat, lunch meat, pork, pork fat, cheese, and mayo. I have not had any of those in two months. I am a Chef, so all this shit is all up in my face 45 hours a week, and that makes it that much more difficult.

Ironically my biggest temptation so far happened today. I drove past a Burger King, and the sign out front said "2 for $3 Whoppers"........ my bottom lip quivered a bit, I down shifted from 3rd to 2nd gear.....and then prevailed and drove on. :cool:

Good for you, Deacon! It's soooo hard with all the stuff out there tempting us. I'm glad you were able to drive away without the burgers. I turned down Ritter's ice cream cake, triple chocolate fudge cake, homemade banana cream pudding, and big chocolate chip cookies over the past couple of weeks. Food that's bad for me is always going to be there, I just have to say no.

You have been losing weight and dropping your cholesterol and that's the main thing. Keep up the good work! You'll be better in the long run for all the suffering you're going through now. :) And you're young enough that this type of change will set you right for the rest of your life!

[patio]

actually there is one instance where it is too late to get healthy.

when you're dead. :p

Actually I've always been of the opinion that dead people are remarkably healthy. I mean, when was the last time you heard of a dead person getting sick?

[REMgirl]

Actually I've always been of the opinion that dead people are remarkably healthy. I mean, when was the last time you heard of a dead person getting sick?

or complaining about it? :p

[patio]

or complaining about it? :p

Or dying ;)

[akip]

it's why they look so damn peaceful, the stinkers.

[skidminix]

it's why they look so damn peaceful, the stinkers.
Oooh, a double whammy. Nice.