Why do we age, fall ill and contract disease?

It is a proven fact that about every 26 seconds, someone suffers a coronary event, and about every 45 seconds, someone suffers a stroke.

by Donna Marie — 

Not so long ago, heart disease, cancer, stroke and aging were accepted as unfortunate, but inevitable, facts of life. We now know that diseases are not caught, but rather can be caused by what we eat or d not eat. We also know that colds, heart attacks and cancer are symptoms, and not the causes of illness or disease.

It is a proven fact that about every 26 seconds, someone suffers a coronary event, and about every 45 seconds, someone suffers a stroke. (Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics: 2004 Update, American Heart Association, based on totals for the year 2000 and a U.S. population of 281 million people.)

Scientists now believe that free-radical damage to our cells and the lack of antioxidants and a nutrient-rich diet are the leading factors for disease and cellular degeneration occurring as part of the aging process. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals and can make the difference between life and death; they influence how fast and well we age. Unfortunately, we cannot get the antioxidant protection our bodies need to protect our cells’ health from our diets alone.

Many leading authorities now urge all adults to take daily vitamin and mineral supplements. Antioxidants can cut the risk of heart disease by as much as 70 percent, diabetes by 40 percent, lung cancer by 30 percent and breast cancer by 20 percent. Vitamins and minerals are vital for the proper functioning of our bodies and for the prevention of disease.

Have you had your vitamins today?

Donna Marie is a licensed massage therapist, lifestyle and weight management counselor who specializes in clinical exercise and nutritional counseling. ndbochow@cox.net or 602-885-2464.

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 24, Number 4, August/September 2005.