MANY OF our commonest illnesses are called chronic degenerative diseases. Why?
Because they develop slowly, over many years from abuse and poor care, but end up causing severe pain, suffering and even death.
In effect, our bodies degenerate because of the way we treat them.
The undeniable medical evidence is that poor nutrition and bad lifestyle choices during childhood predispose us to these debilitating degenerative diseases later in life. Examples of these diseases include heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, diabetes and hypertension.
FOCUS ON WHAT YOU EAT
Medical research has established an indisputable link between nutrition and health.
Literally hundreds of scientific studies have indicated a strong association between diet and the incidence of chronic degenerative disease.
We know, for example, that by eating a varied and balanced diet that is low in saturated fat and rich in fruits, vegetables, and complex carbohydrates (particularly fibre), we can reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, and Type II diabetes.
Diets rich in tomato products containing lycopene are known to reduce the incidence of prostate cancer in men.
And diets rich in green leafy vegetables, particularly those containing lutein, are associated with reducing the risk of macular degeneration, a common cause of blindness.
VITAMINS AND MINERALS
Further research has linked the intake of certain vitamins and minerals to long-term health. Supplementing with vitamin E (400-800 IU per day) are linked to a reduction of heart disease.
Calcium and vitamin D are known to reduce bone loss and the risk of osteoporosis in post-menopausal women.
Folic acid, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6 can lower blood homocysteine, a risk factor for heart disease. In short, good nutrition - achieved through a balanced diet and supplementing with optimal levels of appropriate vitamins and minerals - is critical for preventing these chronic illness.
START EARLY
Medical evidence shows that chronic degenerative diseases are not necessarily diseases of old age. Their beginnings are often evident in children, adolescents, and young adults. Here are some examples:
HEART DISEASE
We know, for example, that heart disease starts in childhood.
A recent article published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows the beginnings of heart disease in children two to 15 years old.
The study further reported that the prevalence of heart disease increases with age, affecting about 30 per cent of adolescents 16-20 years old, 50 per cent of young adults 21-25 years old, and 70 per cent of adults 26-39 years old.
Other research shows that:
30-40 per cent of heart disease deaths directly result from obesity.
Childhood obesity doubles the risk of adult obesity. (Bad habits start early.)
The most effective strategy for preventing heart disease in adulthood is to prevent obesity in childhood. Unfortunately, more Jamaicans children are overweight today than ever before.
CANCER
Most cancers take decades to develop before they are diagnosed. Our cells have many safeguards against cancerous proliferation, and it generally takes tens of years for enough genetic damage to accumulate to override all the safeguards. And once a cell becomes cancerous, it can take decades more before a tumour is detected.
Because we estimate that 30-35 per cent of all cancers are related to diet, we can logically assume that childhood diet plays a significant role in defining adult cancer risk and growing medical evidence supports this assumption.
OSTEOPOROSIS
Osteoporosis is a degenerative disease tied to poor nutrition during early years.
Epidemiological studies show that maintaining good calcium nutrition and attaining high bone mineral density during adolescence lead both to improved bone mineral density and to reduced risk of osteoporosis later in life.
In fact, it is estimated that adolescent girls who increase bone mass by as little as five per cent during their teen years can reduce the risk of osteoporosis after menopause by 40 per cent.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The essential point is that good nutrition is a lifelong imperative.
To optimise our health over a lifetime, we must optimise nutrition during all stages of life.
The time to eat well and practise good nutritional habits is now, whether we are four, 14, 34, or 64 years old. It is essential that we teach our children how to eat today to prevent the chronic degenerative diseases of tomorrow.
Email Dr. Tony Vendryes at vendryes@mac.com, visit him at www.anounceofprevention.org or listen to 'An Ounce of Prevention' on Power 106-FM on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m.
