Chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease (including hypertension and stroke), diabetes, dental diseases, osteoporosis and cancer, as well as adverse health conditions such as obesity are preventable. Unhealthy eating and physical inactivity contribute to these conditions. Today’s article assesses the benefits of physical activity and good nutrition on chronic disease.

Cardiovascular diseases: Heart disease, the number 1 killer of Americans, can almost exclusively be linked to an unbalanced diet and lack of physical activity. Heart disease and stroke, can be significantly reduced by eating less sugars, less processed salt and eliminating unhealthy saturated and trans fats. Consuming sufficient amounts of healthy saturated and polyunsaturated fats, fruits and vegetables and less meat, as well as increasing physical activity and controlling weight can help to prevent cardiovascular disease.

Diabetes: Excess sugars, processed grains, prepackaged foods and physical inactivity leads to weight gain, overweight and obesity. All of which are precursors for the escalating rates of type 2 diabetes, worldwide. Diabetes leads to increased risk of heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, neuropathies and infections. Increased physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight play critical roles in the prevention and treatment of diabetes.

Dental disease: Dental caries are preventable by limiting the frequency and amount of consumption of sugars and other dietary acids in beverages or other acidic foods that contribute to tooth destruction. Proper brushing, flossing and rinsing of your teeth are necessary for the prevention of dental as well as heart disease.

Osteoporosis and bone fractures: Fragile or weakened bones are generally a problem of older people. Consuming adequate intakes of calcium (500 mg per day or more), vitamin K and vitamin D found in many fruits and vegetables helps to reduce fracture risk. So does sun exposure and physical activity help to strengthen bones and muscles.

Cancer: Dietary factors contribute significantly to some types of cancer due to their influence on cellular DNA. Maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol consumption, quitting smoking and eating adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables will reduce the risk for cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, colon, breast, endometrium, prostate and kidneys.

Obesity: Imbalances between declining energy expenditure due to physical inactivity and high energy in the diet (excess calories whether from sugar, starches or fat) is a main trigger of the obesity epidemic. Therefore increasing physical activity, plus reducing intakes of foods high in bad fats, processed starches and foods and drinks high in sugars, can prevent unhealthy weight gain.

Healthy diets and physical activity are key to good nutrition and necessary for a long and healthy life.

At Stanly Wellness Center, we are eager and ready to help you and your families achieve the best health possible. If you are looking for help with your health or you know of someone who is suffering with poor health, call the office of Stanly Wellness Center at 980-355-7600 and schedule a FREE 15-minute consultation with Dr. Patrick Ess to see how he can help. Dr. Ess will not waste your time or money. He will let you know if he can help you, and if he can’t, who in the community can.​

Our office specializes in nutrition, detoxification and neurological correction. You can also refer to our website atwww.AskDrPatrick.com for more information. We accept most major health insurances including BCBS, Aetna, Humana, UHC, Medicaid and Medicare.

Stanly Wellness Center is located right on Main St (24/27) in Locust and is situated next door to the Locust Post Office and the Dollar General across the street from the Wells Fargo Bank.