Why Diet is So Important for Longevity
By Genevieve Cunningham
Recent research is beginning to support a very bold and very important claim. Though it's always been known that diet is an important part of health, doctors are now suggesting that a poor diet may be more damaging to health than smoking. That's powerful! And unfortunately, while smoking is on the decline, poor diets are par for the course. If you're hoping to live a long and healthy life, focusing on diet is essential. But why? To understand the true reasons why diet affects longevity, take a look at this quick info guide.
Weight Management
Carrying extra weight -- especially when it's a significant amount -- is linked to a decline in health and a shorter lifespan. Excessive fat on the body puts a strain on each body system. The heart has to pump harder. Blood sugar is harder to regulate. Blood pressure is harder to maintain. And over time, this takes a significant toll on the body as a whole. If you want to live a long life, keep your body weight appropriate and your body fat percentage down.
Proper Nutrition
Your body needs certain nutrients in order to function at its best. In fact, it needs certain nutrients just to stay alive! We're meant to consume these nutrients through our diet, but if we're eating unhealthy foods, this is less likely to happen. Unhealthy foods don't contain the nutrients that we need to thrive. Over time, we'll create a nutritional deficiency in our bodies, and our overall health and longevity will decline.
You Are What You Eat
Don't forget that this old adage is absolutely true. Your body consumes food and takes what it needs to function. Anything extra is absorbed, turned into fat, or passed through as waste. But your body is going to respond to whatever you're putting in it. If you're filling it with junk, it will show. If you're filling it with vegetables, this will show too. If you want to be healthy, eat healthy food. It's the easiest and simplest way to maintain your healthy diet over time.
Diet is one of the most important things for living a long life. If we eat poorly, our bodies will function poorly. If we eat well, we're far more likely to gain the benefits. Improve your diet just a little bit every day. Over time, you'll see the results of your efforts and enjoy a healthier and happier life for years to come.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Asheville, N.C.