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Dr. David Heber
M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.N., Professor of Medicine and Director,
UCLA Center for Human Nutrition
Every day we search for ways to feel better; this makes our days more enjoyable for ourselves as well as those around us. The recipe for success is a balanced diet combined with sufficient water intake, along with exercise. By combining these three keys to daily wellness, you are giving yourself the opportunity to feel good day after day.
Good nutrition is vital to wellness and enhances the overall quality of life. Unfortunately, our busy lifestyles don't support the healthy choices that can help prevent the development of problems in later years. Today most people are not getting what science considers necessary for optimal health in terms of diet, exercise or lifestyle habits.
Although you may not be able to change your habits overnight, you can address these factors gradually. You can decide, for example, to discover the pleasure derived from healthy eating, regular physical activity, and drinking enough water throughout the day.
Why are we in need of wellness today?
"On the whole, we are more unhealthy than ever," says Dr. David Heber, Chairman of Herbalife Medical & Scientific Advisory Boards. "Poor nutrition, stress, pollution and other factors continue to increase the risks of a variety of illnesses and obesity."
Vital Statistics
The Australian Bureau of Statistics state that dietary factors are associated with three of the leading causes of death in Australia and New Zealand:
· Heart disease
· Cancer
· Stroke
· Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death.
The proportion of adults classified as overweight or obese (using body mass index) increased over the last 10 years: for men from 52% to 62% and for women from 37% to 45%.
40.4% of females and 30.1% of males in New Zealand are considered overweight (Source Ministry of Health).
23% of children between the ages of 6 and 19 are also considered overweight.
Reports also show that being overweight during childhood and particularly adolescence is related to increased morbidity and mortality in later life. Adverse health effects associated with overweight children and adolescents are:
· Asthma
· Diabetes type 2
· Hypertension
· Orthopedic complications
· Psychosocial effects & stigma
· Sleep apnea
How Did This Happen?
The increase of technology and packaged foods; our dependence on motor transportation rather than walking; our sedentary lifestyles; and our busy schedules that leave us little time to prepare healthy meals or exercise have led us down a morbid path. Gaining weight and getting sick is easier than ever.
Our busy lifestyles don't support the healthy choices that can help prevent the development of problems in later years. Today, many Australian and New Zealanders are not getting what doctors consider essentials for optimal health in terms of diet, exercise or lifestyle habits.
Factors That Impact Health
· Fast food diets that are high in fat and low in nutrients.
· Overly-processed, convenience foods.
· Sedentary lifestyle.
· Pollution.
· Stress.
· Lack of dietary fibre from fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
· Not enough healthy sources of protein in our diets to support healthy muscle and bone.
· Lack of proper rest.
The Good News!
Although this information is disturbing, there is good news. Since you control your diet and activity level, you have the power to improve your immediate and future health. All you need is the right information and the desire to put it into action. Remember, improving your state of wellness is a step-by-step process. By following the steps below and making the adjustments necessary, you can improve your wellness starting today!
The Keys to Optimum Wellness
1 - Balance Your Diet.
You need to get enough of the right foods including colourful fruits and vegetables, protein, good carbohydrates and just enough good fats for the taste you want. You also need vitamins, minerals and fibre from dietary supplements to provide the nutrition missing from your diet that your cells need for good health.
2 - Exercise Regularly.
Regular exercise can help you feel and look your best. Exercise conditions your heart and relieves stress and makes it easier to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.
3 - Drink Lots of Water.
Your body is about two-thirds water. In an average day, you lose at least 500ml of water even without excessive sweating. To feel your best, you should drink 6 to 8 glasses of water a day.
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implementation of effective cancer prevention programs.
