Introduction
We all want to stay healthy and look our best, but sometimes we don’t realize the small things we do that can have a big impact on our bodies. Eating the wrong foods, not getting enough sleep, and not exercising can all take a toll on our health. In this article, we’ll discuss five ways you’re wrecking your body without knowing it and how to make better choices to improve your health. From eating the wrong foods to not getting enough sleep, we’ll cover it all. So, let’s get started and learn how to make healthier choices for our bodies.
5 Ways You’re Wrecking Your Body Without Knowing It — Eat This Not That
It’s easy to think that you’re doing everything right when it comes to your health, but there are some sneaky ways you could be sabotaging your body without even knowing it. Here are five of the most common ways you could be wrecking your body without knowing it.
1. Eating Too Much Processed Food
Processed foods are convenient and often tasty, but they can be loaded with unhealthy ingredients like added sugar, sodium, and unhealthy fats. Eating too much processed food can lead to weight gain, high blood pressure, and an increased risk of heart disease and diabetes.
2. Not Getting Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep is essential for your physical and mental health. Not getting enough sleep can lead to a weakened immune system, increased stress levels, and an increased risk of obesity and heart disease.
3. Not Drinking Enough Water
Staying hydrated is essential for your body to function properly. Not drinking enough water can lead to dehydration, fatigue, and headaches. It can also make it harder for your body to absorb nutrients from food.
4. Not Exercising Enough
Exercise is important for your physical and mental health. Not getting enough exercise can lead to weight gain, increased risk of heart disease, and decreased energy levels.
5. Not Eating Enough Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are packed with essential vitamins and minerals that your body needs to stay healthy. Not eating enough fruits and vegetables can lead to deficiencies in important nutrients, which can lead to a weakened immune system and increased risk of disease.
By being aware of these five ways you could be wrecking your body without knowing it, you can make sure you’re doing everything you can to stay healthy and happy.
We know that when it comes to health, prevention is better than cure—but what if you’re undermining your wellbeing without knowing it? “I often see patients who feel they are doing everything right. They are eating nutrient-dense foods, getting adequate sleep, going to the gym…but they just don’t feel good,” says Mark Hyman, MD. Here are five ways you might be seriously harming your health. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
Studies show that excessive sugar intake is linked to heart disease. “Excess sugar’s impact on obesity and diabetes is well documented, but one area that may surprise many men is how their taste for sugar can have a serious impact on their heart health,” says Dr. Frank Hu, professor of nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. “Basically, the higher the intake of added sugar, the higher the risk for heart disease. The effects of added sugar intake — higher blood pressure, inflammation, weight gain, diabetes, and fatty liver disease — are all linked to an increased risk for heart attack and stroke.”
If your waistline has been slowly expanding over the years, it’s time to do something about it. “Prior research has shown that abdominal obesity is more strongly associated than overall obesity with cardiovascular risk factors such as increased blood pressure, elevated blood triglyceride levels, and type 2 diabetes,” says Chika Anekwe, MD, MPH. “Studies have shown it’s even linked to dementia, asthma, and some cancers. Fat located around the abdomen, particularly visceral fat surrounding the liver and internal organs, is highly inflammatory and metabolically disruptive: it releases inflammatory molecules that contribute to insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and ultimately cardiovascular disease.”
Even one session of binge drinking can quickly affect your immune system, research shows. “The idea that one single episode of binge drinking can cause such a significant disruption — it’s something we can take to the public and show them that there are harms even for those who don’t consider themselves problem drinkers,” says Majid Afshar, MD, MSCR. “We need to do a better job on educating the public about the harmful effects of heavy drinking in people who otherwise consider themselves healthy.”
A sedentary lifestyle is terrible for your health, even if you work out regularly. Studies show sitting too much is linked to serious health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. “The more you sit, the more your large muscles are not using glucose, the body’s main energy source. Uninterrupted sitting can cause blood sugar levels to rise, triggering the release of insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar,” says Dr. Hicham Skali, a cardiologist with Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Over-the-counter supplements are one of the leading causes of liver damage in the US, so always speak to your doctor before taking any (especially if you are on prescription medications). “It’s really the Wild West,” says Herbert L. Bonkovsky, MD. “When people buy these dietary supplements, it’s anybody’s guess as to what they’re getting.”
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