The famous preacher Charles Spurgeon once said, “Surely, if it be murder to administer poison to the dying, it must be far more criminal to give poison to the young life.” His statement is sadly true, especially when it comes to chemical poisons in the form of prescription drugs.  Make no mistake – prescription medications can be life-saving and are absolutely necessary in critical situations. On the other hand, the use of many medications could be avoided if we Americans simply adopted healthy lifestyle changes. And by avoiding those drugs, we could also avoid the debilitating side effects that often come with them. 

Obesity and Chronic Disease Trends – What is the Cause?

It’s no surprise that the rates of obesity in America have steadily increased over the past 30 years – the same time period that has witnessed an explosion in the number of convenience stores, fast food restaurants, and vending machines. But along with the rising obesity rates, there has been a steady incline of prescription drug use. Why? We all know that a poor diet contributes to weight gain; but ultimately it also leads to decreased energy, mood swings, depression symptoms, inadequate sleep patterns, and even chronic illness – heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, and cancer, to name a few.  So as these chronic health conditions proliferate, the perceived need for prescriptions grows correspondingly – to the point it has reached record numbers – even in American children!

Diet and Depression Symptoms

Consider this fact: 41% of American adults (over 30) and 59% of young adults (ages 18-29) eat at a fast food restaurant at least once per week.[1]  According to a study published in the March 2012 issue of Public Health Nutrition, consumption of fast food (hamburgers, sausages, pizza) and processed pastries (muffins, croissants, doughnuts) is linked to an increase in depression symptoms.[2] The results reveal that consumers of fast food, compared to those who eat little or none, are 51% more likely to develop depression. Furthermore, a dose-response relationship was observed. In other words this means that “the more fast food you consume, the greater the risk of depression,” explains Almudena Sánchez-Villegas, lead author of the study.[3]

Diet and Cholesterol Numbers

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that high cholesterol numbers are also linked with a poor diet. But what is not so commonly known is that sugar – not fat – is the major contributor to high cholesterol. In a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, participants who ate the most sugar had the lowest HDL (“good”) cholesterol and the highest blood triglyceride levels. On the contrary, those who ate the least amount of sugar had the highest levels of good cholesterol and the lowest triglyceride levels.[4]

Furthermore, there are actually healthy fats that can help lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels. For example, monounsaturated fats found in olive oil, avocados, nuts and seeds as well as fatty fish containing the beneficial omega-3 fats have been proven time and again to help fight high cholesterol and support heart health.

How Can You Prevent Disease?

Following a healthy diet is undoubtedly one of the top actions you can implement for disease prevention. You’ll also want to be sure to maintain a consistent exercise program and take vitamins and minerals to counteract nutrient deficiencies. In our FREE 15-page report, Natural Health 101: Living a Healthy Lifestyle, we provide a healthy food list, exercise plan, and tips to overcome nutrient deficiencies utilizing the proper supplement regimen.  Whether you’re in top-notch shape or trying to reverse your symptoms, our Natural Health 101 free report will teach you the top alternative medicine strategies for healthy living. Download the report today so you can take the appropriate steps to prevent disease tomorrow. By adopting a healthy lifestyle, you can be one less person singing the Mary Poppins tune, “Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down!”