10 Best Commercial determinants Of Health
Health is wealth, as the saying goes. Well, if you want to live a long and healthy life, you need to maintain healthy nutritional habits and physical activity. Here are ten good commercial determinants of health that can help you avoid disease, reduce your weight, improve endurance and more.
Sugar consumption contributes to cardiovascular disease (CVD), obesity and type 2 diabetes in both adults and children. That’s because too much sugar causes spikes in blood glucose levels (glucose) which cause your body’s cells to absorb the extra sugar and store it as fat. The worst thing you can do on a diet when limiting other unhealthy foods is to increase your intake of high-sugar foods.
2. Processed Foods:
Processed food is a common culprit in chronic diseases such as CVD and diabetes. A study by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) found that in 2022, 23% of Americans were overweight or obese, and 47% were obese.3 It’s often easier to have a fast lunch than make an effort to eat dinner. And processed food can spike blood sugars and promote inflammation.
3. Sugary Beverages:
Beverages are some of our favorite sources of added sugar and fructose which negatively impact our weight. But how much sugar do we need per day? Experts point out that the average American consumes about 40 grams of added sugar per day. And some drinks contain even more! Consider these alternatives that may also be better for your health: sparkling water, unsweetened tea, fresh fruit juice, nut milks, low-calorie milk and yogurt.
4. Refined Meats:
Refined meats that come from animals that have been force fed with antibiotics and hormones are loaded with dietary nitrates, ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. These compounds have been shown to increase cholesterol and lead to heart disease. Some examples of these products include bacon, ham, sausage, salami, deli meats and ground beef.
5. Unhealthy Fats & Oils:
Oils like olive oil, soybean oil, coconut oil and canola oil are not only healthy but rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which studies show may help lower high blood pressure. Extra virgin olive oil, which has no added trans fats, has also been linked to decreased risk of cancer.
6. Stress:
Chronic stress leads to inflammation, high blood pressure and unhealthy immune functions. Chronic stress can also increase appetite and cravings for comfort food. In turn, this makes eating more calories difficult.
7. Alcohol and Tobacco:
Alcohol and tobacco are two substances that increase risks of premature death. Both can interfere with sleep and raise the risk of stroke, hypertension and kidney disease. When combined with unbalanced diets, heavy drinking and smoking, they actually put even greater strain on the cardiovascular system.
8. Medications:
A number of medications used to treat cancer are metabolized differently by the liver. This means certain drugs take longer to clear up, resulting in higher blood sugar, increased triglycerides and other bad things. For example, aspirin (ibuprofen) is cleared up very quickly, so patients usually stop taking it after a few days. Other medicines that require extended use after surgery and radiation therapy include steroids, anticoagulants, antidepressants, anti-nausea medications, antifungal agents, anti-infective and antimicrobial agents. While most people don’t experience any harm from medication taken daily, taking multiple medications combined is associated with serious side effects which increase the risk of medical conditions.
9. Cancer Risk Factors:
Cancer is a major public health concern, especially among Hispanics and African Americans. It occurs when DNA alters and becomes damaged by substances called carcinogens. Cancer risk factors include high body mass index, excessive alcohol consumption, being male and smokers. Research suggests that the main pathway through which alcohol interacts with the developing reproductive systems of men is by altering the microenvironment of spermatozoa.
10. Inflammatory Bowel Disease:
Inflammatory bowel disease is characterized by uncontrolled diarrhea and constipation and its symptoms vary. People who suffer from IBD may have abdominal pain, cramping and diarrhea at different times throughout their illness. According to the National Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation (NCCF), nearly three million Americans suffer from IBD. Studies suggest that gastrointestinal disorders such as IBD decrease quality of life and contribute to disability.
If any of these topics are troubling you, talk to your doctor or a registered nutritionist before trying new recipes, cooking methods or supplements. Remember, however, to continue following good health practices and getting a balance of nutrients!