Chronic diseases are hard to live with. They have a negative impact on how you feel and how your body functions, which can effect your quality of life. When poorly managed and left untreated, chronic diseases can even be fatal and, in fact, they’re responsible for 70% of deaths annually. This is an unnerving statistic, but even when chronic diseases aren’t fatal, the pain, fatigue and inflammation associated with them can keep you from participating in your life the way you want to. The mental toll is very real, too, and left untreated, the combination of physical and mental symptoms can impact your ability to hold down a job and maintain relationships. Because of this, it’s essential to do your part to treat and prevent chronic disease where you can. You don’t have to just live with the discomfort. When it comes to treating and preventing chronic diseases and their symptoms, eating a healthy diet can have a powerful effect on your body and the way you feel.
A poor diet is a major contributing factor in a number of chronic diseases, as well one of the main causes of obesity in the United States. Extensive studies by the World Health Organization have found that chronic diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, osteoporosis and dental disease can all be treated, if not prevented, with a healthy diet and eating the right kinds of foods while avoiding others. The findings are the same across the board – avoiding added sugar and salt, overly acidic foods, saturated fat and trans fat cannot only help you evade certain diseases, but it can help you treat chronic disease, too. Diets rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy fats and adequate vitamin D and calcium, on the other hand, can help combat the problems associated with many chronic diseases. Not to mention, eating well will leave you with a lot more energy.
As it is, the CDC reports that less than 1 in 5 adults eats enough fruit and less than 1 in 7 eats enough vegetables, which means the majority of adults don’t get the nutrition they need. The old adage, “You are what you eat” proves especially true when you’re struggling with your health and wellness. If you have a chronic disease, this lack of proper diet and nutrition can be detrimental to your health. In addition, poor dietary habits can also lead to obesity over time, which is a significant risk factor for developing chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, heart disease and more. So, can changing your diet really change how you feel?
The Best Way to Treat and Prevent Chronic Disease With a Healthy Diet
The great news is that most chronic diseases may be preventable with a healthy overall lifestyle, including diet and exercise. However, if you already have a chronic disease or develop a disease that can’t be prevented, take heart in knowing that the symptoms may still be treated with a healthy diet. Eating a healthy diet is one of the best ways to prevent heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and some dental diseases. It may also help treat the symptoms of diabetes, Lyme disease, cancer, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and more. Eating clean by consuming plenty of fruits and vegetables, for example, can help fight cardiovascular disease as you increase your dietary fiber intake, keeping your arteries cleaner and clearer of harmful plaque. In addition, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables provide antioxidant, phytoestrogen and anti-inflammatory benefits, all of which help reduce the pain and fatigue that result from many chronic illnesses. Bone broth has also been found to offer a variety of benefits to those with chronic diseases, boosting immune function, supporting healthy joint function and offering anti-inflammatory benefits, which promotes gut health.
Without a doubt, healthy eating can help you avoid obesity and may lower your likelihood of developing certain chronic diseases. Making a lifelong habit of eating a healthy diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables is shown to be beneficial in innumerable ways. There’s no shortage of benefits that come from improving your nutritional intake. You may reduce the pain and exhaustion you’re feeling, and can, in turn, improve your quality of life. In fact, you may even find that you feel and look better overall, too. You may see positive results in your appearance as well as experiencing marked improvement in the symptoms of your disease. Don’t let chronic disease keep you from living your life. Change your diet and change your life for the better today!
Browse Front PageShare Your IdeaComments
Read Elephant’s Best Articles of the Week here.
Readers voted with your hearts, comments, views, and shares:
Click here to see which Writers & Issues Won.