Introduction
Eating the right foods is essential for maintaining good health. Unfortunately, many of us are unaware of the potential health risks associated with certain foods. Doctors have warned that eating certain foods can damage your health, and it is important to be aware of these risks. In this article, we will discuss five foods that doctors warn can damage your health, and provide healthier alternatives. By making the right food choices, you can ensure that you are getting the nutrients your body needs to stay healthy.
Doctors Warn Doing These 5 Things Can Damage Your Health — Eat This Not That
It’s no secret that what you eat can have a major impact on your health. But did you know that certain activities can also be detrimental to your wellbeing? Doctors are warning that there are five things you should avoid doing if you want to stay healthy.
1. Smoking
Smoking is one of the most dangerous activities you can do. It can lead to a variety of health problems, including lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health.
2. Not Exercising
Regular exercise is essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It can help you maintain a healthy weight, reduce your risk of chronic diseases, and improve your overall wellbeing. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity each day.
3. Eating Too Much Processed Food
Processed foods are often high in calories, sugar, and unhealthy fats. Eating too much of these foods can lead to weight gain, high cholesterol, and other health problems. Instead, focus on eating whole, unprocessed foods like fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.
4. Not Getting Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep is essential for your physical and mental health. Not getting enough sleep can lead to fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night to stay healthy.
5. Not Drinking Enough Water
Staying hydrated is important for your overall health. Not drinking enough water can lead to dehydration, which can cause headaches, fatigue, and other health problems. Aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water each day.
By avoiding these five activities, you can help keep your body healthy and strong. Remember to eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep and water to stay healthy.
Are bad habits undermining your health and happiness? “Our behaviors don’t just impact our physical health, they affect our mental well-being, too,” says psychologist William Orme, PhD. “This is most readily apparent with habits that are unhealthy for us, but even habits that we think of as healthy can sometimes have adverse psychological implications under certain conditions.” Here are five things that can cause serious damage, according to doctors. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
Chronic sleep deprivation can be devastating for your health, experts warn. “Human beings are the only species that deliberately deprive themselves of sleep for no apparent gain,” says Matthew Walker, PhD, director of the Center for Human Sleep Science at the University of California, Berkeley. “Many people walk through their lives in an underslept state, not realizing it… Every disease that is killing us in developed nations has causal and significant links to a lack of sleep. So that classic maxim that you may [have] heard that you can sleep when you’re dead, it’s actually mortally unwise advice from a very serious standpoint.”
Letting belly fat get out of control can negatively impact many aspects of health and wellness. “Belly fat is the most dangerous kind of fat because it develops in the abdominal region and can surround internal organs,” says James de Lemos, MD. “Research at UT Southwestern… has shown that this kind of fat puts people at greater risk for developing several kinds of health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, liver problems, some types of cancer, and risk for sudden death.”
Sitting all day is terrible for your health, doctors warn. “Research has linked sitting for long periods of time with a number of health concerns,” says Edward R. Laskowski, MD. “They include obesity and a cluster of conditions — increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist and unhealthy cholesterol levels — that make up metabolic syndrome. Too much sitting overall and prolonged periods of sitting also seem to increase the risk of death from cardiovascular disease and cancer. Any extended sitting — such as at a desk, behind a wheel or in front of a screen — can be harmful.”
Drinking too much alcohol is a leading cause of mortality in the US, according to health officials. “We have seen a significant growth in the number of people needing evaluation for liver transplants—at least here in our facility because our team does those evaluations,” says Alёna A. Balasanova, MD, director of addiction psychiatry education and co-director of the addiction psychiatry consultation-liaison service at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. “You can absolutely develop liver disease and eventually end stage liver disease such that you need a transplant. Alcohol-related liver disease is a leading cause of a need for transplant. [Drinking large amounts] can also impact your heart. You can get cardiomyopathy and increased blood pressure, which then, of course, can increase your risk for having strokes.”
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the US, according to the CDC. “Smoking cigarettes contributes to almost 1 in 5 deaths,” says Wynne Armand, MD. “The top three smoking-related causes of death are cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In addition to these ‘top three,’ smoking is also linked to a number of other cancers, an increased likelihood of getting more colds and infections, diabetes, osteoporosis and hip fractures, problems in pregnancy, difficulty with erections, stomach ulcers, gum disease, and the list goes on. Quitting smoking can add years to your life. Though the earlier the better, it’s never too late to quit. The benefits of quitting are real, even at the age of 80!”
“Most smokers try three times before successfully quitting,” says pulmonologist Humberto Choi, MD. “Don’t give up. Even if you’ve been a lifelong smoker, it is never too late to quit.”
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