Our health is significantly influenced by the way we live. A health-conscious lifestyle, physical activity and a healthy diet have a positive effect on our health and help prevent disease.
Diseases caused by poor diet
Scientists believe that more than 70% of all diseases in Western industrialized countries are diet– and lifestyle-induced. In particular, malnutrition, lack of exercise and obesity play a major role. However, nicotine and alcohol consumption also contribute to this. A connection to lifestyle and nutrition has been proven for numerous diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and cancer.
Cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Germany. Last year, more than 43% of deaths were attributable to it. It has long been known that at least half of all cardiovascular diseases and deaths could be avoided simply by making the best possible lifestyle changes. The most dangerous, according to the study, are cigarette smoking and an unfavorable ratio of certain blood lipids. With adequate exercise, a healthy diet and not smoking, people could gain additional years of life. Smoking alone shortens life by about 30 minutes with each cigarette. What is worrying is that there are already numerous risk factors in children and adolescents, above all obesity and lack of exercise. The basis for a later heart attack is thus created at an early age. But lifestyle changes are not popular even among heart attack patients. In one study, a group of researchers from Dresden surveyed nearly 800 patients 6 and 12 months after surviving a heart attack about their lifestyle habits and tablet use. Although the majority of patients were very conscientious about taking their medications, the results were less positive when it came to exercise and dietary changes.
Diabetes mellitus (diabetes).
About 6 million Germans suffer from type 2 diabetes mellitus and every year the rate increases by 5%. It is one of the most common and expensive chronic diseases. In addition to genetic predisposition and age, obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia are considered the most important risk factors for the development of diabetes. Unlike type 1 diabetes with an absolute lack of insulin, in type 2 diabetes the pancreas produces very large amounts of insulin at the beginning of the disease. However, this is not properly recognized by the body’s cells, and there is reduced insulin sensitivity or insulin resistance. Normally, insulin helps sugar to be absorbed into the cell. If insulin resistance is present, there is a flooding of sugar (glucose) in the blood associated with elevated blood glucose levels. Insulin resistance in the body’s cells is promoted by obesity, poor diet and lack of exercise. Therefore, in type 2 diabetics, dietary changes, reduction of excess weight and regular exercise are the first priorities in treatment.
Cancer
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Germany. In 2007, more than a quarter of all those who died succumbed to cancer. In men, carcinomas of the digestive and respiratory organs predominate. Among women, tumors of the digestive organs and the breast predominate. In the case of cancer, the connection between lifestyle and the development of the disease is not quite so clear. According to a study by the WHO (World Health Organization), around 30 percent of all cancer cases in Western countries are due to poor diet and lack of exercise. There seems to be a correlation for the most common types of cancer in Germany, namely colon and rectal cancer and breast cancer. The risk of these cancers increases with obesity, too little exercise and low consumption of fruit and vegetables. Experts believe that the risk of colorectal cancer, for example, could be reduced by around half with a healthy lifestyle and diet. Other types of tumors, such as leukemia, lymphoma and brain tumors, are likely to develop independently of lifestyle.
Positively influence lifestyle
Many diseases can be prevented with a health-conscious lifestyle. However, lifestyle changes can also have a great impact on existing diseases.On the following pages, we will give you tips on how you can positively influence your lifestyle and thus contribute to many healthy years of life.
