Health Depends Largely on Lifestyle

Many erroneously believe that inherited traits (genetic factors) are the primary factors determining their quality of life and how long they will live. For the vast majority of us, our health is primarily dependent on two other factors: (1) what we put into our bodies, and (2) what we do with our bodies. A simple word that encapsulates both of these concepts is "lifestyle." The good news is that even though we cannot change our genetics, we can change our lifestyle. Those lifestyle choices can prevent or forestall the development of diseases for which we are genetically predisposed. Regarding the most common diseases, Dr. Lamont Murdoch of Loma Linda University School of Medicine has put it aptly: "faulty genetics loads the the gun, lifestyle pulls the trigger.

Underlying Factors That Caused Death in the U.S. (1990)

• *Poor diet, inadequate exercise  582,000

• *Tobacco 468,000

• *Alcohol 107,000

• Infectious diseases 90,000

• Toxic Agents 60,000

• *Firearms 35,000

• *Sexual Behavior 30,000

• Motor Vehicles 25,000

• *Illicit Drugs 20,000

*=Lifestyle factors

The Ten Leading Afflictions That Caused Death in the U.S. (1995)

• Heart & blood vessel disease 914,000

• Cancer 538,000

• Chronic lung disease 105,000

• Accidents 90,000

• Pneumonia/influenza 84,000

• Diabetes 59,000

• HIV/AIDS 43,000

• Suicide 31,000

• Liver cirrhosis 25,000

• Kidney failure 24,000

Notice that more than half of the underlying factors are lifestyle related. Also notice, that within the Ten Leading Afflictions, the majority are also lifestyle related. If we as people would bring ourselves under the power of God, then our lifestyle would be in balance with His will, giving us abundant lives now. Scripture says, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly," (John 10:10). Further it goes on to say that it was the will of God that we have healthy lives. The Bible says, "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." (3 John 2).

Prevention is the Key

Today, a wealth of scientific research has confirmed that most of the leading causes of death are preventable. C. Everett Koop, M.D., Sc.D, former Surgeon General of the United States, produces the first Surgeon General's Report on Nutrition and Health in 1988. It was based on an exhaustive review of the scientific literature. He concluded that "dietary excess and imbalance" contributed significantly to eight of the leading killer diseases in our country. Excerpts from his report are shown below.¹

Dietary Excess and Imbalance Cause Much Disease and Death

1. Diet has a vital influence on health

2. Five of the ten leading causes of illness and death are associated with diet (coronary heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, and atherosclerosis.).

3. Another three have been associated with excessive alcohol intake (cirrhosis of the liver, accidents, and suicide).

4. These eight conditions accounted for nearly 1.5 million of the 2.1 million total death in 1987.

5. Dietary excesses or imbalances also contribute to other problems such as high blood pressure, obesity, dental diseases, osteoporosis, and gastrointestinal diseases.

6. It is now clear that diet contributes in substantial ways to the development of these diseases and that modification of diet can contribute to their prevention and control.

Longevity Factors

You may ask, what are factors that will help you to live longer? Drs. Nedra Belloc and Lester Breslow were among the first researches to present a convincing answer. In their study of nearly 7000 individuals, they found that there were seven lifestyle factors that influenced how long a person lived.² The number of these habits that an individual followed made a tremendous impact on their longevity.³

Belloc & Breslow's Seven Health Factors for Longevity

1. Sleep 7 to 8 hours

2. No eating between meals

3. Eat breakfast regularly

4. Maintain proper weight

5. Regular exercise

6. Moderate or no use of alcohol

7. No smoking

¹ The Surgeon Generals Report on Nutrition and Health. U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (Public Health Service), 1988.

² Belloc NB, Breslow L. Relationship of physical health status and health practices. Prev Med 1972 Aug;1(3):409-421.

³ Bellow L, Enstrom JE. Persistence of health habits and their relationship to mortality. Prev Med 1980 Jul;9(4):469-483.