WHAT'S YOUR 2018 HEALTH RESOLUTION ?

We all have resolutions for even better life next year. Economically, socially, and otherwise. How’s about our most precious good we have – health? Read on…

Carl Weinstein from Pullman, WA, asks:
 
When I am asked about my resolution no. 1 for 2018, I can only say with great enthusiasm and excitement: lose weight by cutting down my sedentary habits. Isn’t this the best mechanism and option for my health?
 
Dr. Fritz:
 
At each turn of the year, we all have our resolutions for an even better time to come. More money, more love, more whatsoever…
 
But what’s the basic resolution for our most precious good in life: health?
 
Appreciating the fact that more than one third of our population is overweight, including our youngsters of 5-17 years old (according to Duke University in Durham, N.C.), resolution to cut down on weight sounds certainly reasonable. With an average sedentary time of 13 hours per day in this country. 

MISLEADING CORRELATION – SCIENTIFICALLY CLARIFIED

This formula (sit less, weigh less) may still be too simple and misleading.
 
Because, according to a recent meta-analysis carried out at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand, prolonged sitting is not really responsible for weight gain. Rather, the actual cohesion is that prolonged sitting more than 3 hours daily may not really cause weight gain but basically 3 health problems instead: high blood pressure, cancer, and diabetes – with increased risk of premature death.   
 
Based on the biologic fact that already 2 hours sitting without interruption reduces blood flow (to the heart, etc.), also it raises blood sugar and triglycerides, and it reduces ‘good’ (HDL) cholesterol by 20%.
 
According to research at the University of Sao Paulo School of Medicine in Brazil, prolonged sitting for 3 hours and more per day is even responsible for almost 4% of premature all-cause deaths per year!
 
To be sure, this is in line with vital statistics of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, according to which 2 million Americans die every year premature and preventable of chronic illness. With – yes – heart failure, cancer, and diabetes on top of the list.
 
On the other hand, sitting less than 3 hours per day can even extend your life expectancy. According to same research at the University of Sao Paulo with more than one billion (!) adult participants in 54 countries in the Americas, Europe (with the Mediterranean), Southeast Asia and Western Pacific.
 

CONCLUSION

Sedentary lifestyle, i.e. sitting more than 3 hours per day enhances the risk of high blood pressure (with heart failure in consequence), cancer and diabetes dramatically. That’s why a comprehensive ‘active lifestyle’ with more physical activity in your individual and social life, as well as environmental lifestyle factors, may fit best on top of your New Year’s list of resolutions.
                                                                  
 

QUESTIONS?

Just contact us

DISCLAIMER

All information stated in this blog are for your personal education, and not to replace the advice of your healthcare provider.