Preventing Chronic Disease
By practicing healthy lifestyle choices you can delay or prevent chronic disease, and symptoms of illness can be managed better. According to the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease: If Americans were to stop smoking, exercise regularly, and eat well, they could prevent up to 80% of heart disease and stroke, 80% of type 2 diabetes and 40% of cancers.
Heart Disease
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. In the U.S., heart disease is responsible for 1 in every 4 premature deaths. You can lower your risk for heart disease and heart attack by living a healthy lifestyle – eating a healthy diet, maintain a healthy weight, get regular exercise, not smoking and limiting use of alcohol.
Regular exercise strengthens your heart muscle, helps your lungs function, and reduces your risk for coronary heart disease. It also reduces your chances of having a heart attack.
Diabetes
To prevent type 2 diabetes, focus on things you can change in your life – eat healthful food and exercise regularly. For general idea of your risk for developing type 2 diabetes, take this risk test.
Cancer
In addition to smoking, two of the most powerful things you can do to prevent cancer include eating a healthful diet and getting regular exercise. About 20% of all cancers diagnosed in the U.S. are related to obesity, physical inactivity, excess use of alcohol, poor nutrition.
Arthritis
When you have arthritis, exercise might seem like the last thing you want to do. Research shows, however, that exercise can relieve pain and improve your ability to move and function.
