 |
FREE Natural Health Newsletter
Receive natural health product reviews, recommendations and alerts.
Instant download of 20+ free health reports and exclusive interviews.
Join over 1.2 million monthly readers.
|
 |
Products Related to This Article*• The Weiss Method for Heart Disease☯ How to reverse heart disease naturally for heart disease, high cholesterol
• Peri-Gum Anti-cancer, anti-gingivitis herbal mouth for oral health without chemicals
• BioAstin Natural Astaxanthin Natural astaxanthin concentrate for arthritis, joint pain, skin protection
* Recommended by the Health Ranger.
|
|
(NaturalNews) From previous studies, it had already been shown that living a healthy lifestyle contributes to lower risks of contracting various serious illnesses, such as coronary heart disease, cancer and diabetes. But little had been proven about the link between healthy living and one’s risk of getting a stroke.
This gap has been closed by the findings of a recent study conducted by the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health.
"This study shows that following a healthy lifestyle, which has been associated with up to 80 percent lower risk of coronary heart disease and 90 percent lower risk of diabetes, may also prevent more than half of ischemic strokes," said Dr. Stephanie E. Chiuve, leader of the study funded by the National Institutes of Health.
Stroke – a major killer today
Each year, it is estimated that over 780,000 people in the United States alone suffer a stroke -- this works out to about one person every 40 seconds. Of this figure, about 600,000 are first-time occurrences.
An ischemic stroke takes place when the blood supply to a part of the brain is reduced, and the affected brain tissue suffers dysfunction and necrosis. This could happen, for example, when a blood vessel becomes blocked. Ischemic strokes are the most common kind of stroke, with about 87% of all strokes estimated to be of this nature.
When categorized separately from other cardiovascular diseases, strokes are the third highest killer in the United States today, behind cancer and heart disease.
Details of Stroke Study
This latest study, published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, analyzed the living habits and health status of a total of 43,685 men as well as 71,243 women from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS) and the Nurses’ Health Study respectively.
The participants reported on their medical status and lifestyle factors every two years, with the males tracked from 1986 to 2002 and the females from 1984 to 2002. In the course of the respective periods, 994 men and 1,559 women suffered strokes, of which 600 and 853 respectively were ischemic strokes.
In the study, a healthy or low-risk lifestyle was defined to contain the following elements:
* maintenance of a healthy weight (body mass index less than 25);
* at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day;
* not smoking;
* moderate drinking of alcohol; and
* consumption of a relatively healthy diet, as indicated by a calculated healthy diet score. Some factors here include the consumption of good amounts of fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts, chicken and fish, as well as low amounts of trans fats and saturated fats.
Findings of the Study
The results of the study were quite astonishing. Men who met all five healthy lifestyle criteria were 69% less likely to suffer any type of stroke and 80% less likely to get an ischemic stroke as compared to those who did not meet any of the five criteria.
For women, the corresponding figures were 79% for any type of stroke and 81% for ischemic stroke.
Further, it was estimated by the researchers that 52% of ischemic strokes suffered by men, as well as 35% of all strokes suffered by this group, could have been avoided by following a healthy lifestyle.
As for the women, the proportions of ischemic and total strokes which might have been prevented through healthy living were estimated to be 54% and 47% respectively.
Conclusion
All in all, the findings of the study revealed that people who fit the definition of having a healthy lifestyle were about 80% less likely to get an ischemic stroke, as compared to those who did not meet any of the five mentioned criteria.
This has led the study team to conclude that “a low-risk lifestyle that is associated with a reduced risk of multiple chronic diseases also may be beneficial in the prevention of stroke, especially ischemic stroke”.
Living a healthy lifestyle and having a decreased risk of killer diseases –- this is a relationship which many of us would have been convinced of through common sense alone. Now, with the release of these findings, we will all have one more concrete and proven reason to embark on a healthier lifestyle.
Main Sources:
Primary prevention of stroke by healthy lifestyle (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18697819)
Healthy lifestyle cuts stroke risk: study (http://in.reuters.com/article/health/id...)
(en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stroke)
Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics, American Heart Association, American Stroke Association (http://www.americanheart.org/downloadab...)
About the authorReuben Chow has a keen interest in the area of natural health and healing and carries out regular research on the topic. His website, All 4 Natural Health, offers a basic guide on natural health information. It details simple, effective and natural ways, such as the use of nutrition, various herbs, herb remedies, supplements and other natural remedies, to deal with various health conditions as well as to attain good health.
Get articles like this delivered to you FREE in our popular email newsletter
|
 |
Why green-lipped mussel oil makes krill oil obsoleteHave you heard about green-lipped mussel oil and its amazing pain relief properties? See the comparison with fish oils.
Click here to find out more
This is the new marine omega-3 oil that thousands of readers are switching to. Click the link for full details.
|
Over 100 ways to survive and thrive during the unfolding economic crisisThis eight-CD audio seminar was recorded LIVE by the Health Ranger in October. It reveals everything you need to know to survive the coming economic turmoil.
Click here to protect yourself now
"Guaranteed to deliver the most powerful financial protection advice you've ever seen or your money back!" - Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
|
Recommended Products Related to This Article*:The Weiss Method for Heart Disease☯ How to reverse heart disease naturally for heart disease, high cholesterol
Peri-Gum Anti-cancer, anti-gingivitis herbal mouth for oral health without chemicals
BioAstin Natural Astaxanthin Natural astaxanthin concentrate for arthritis, joint pain, skin protection
Revealed: Natural Health Solutions (free) Free summary of book by Mike Adams for learning censored natural health remedies
Exposed! The Toxic Chemistry of Products Free summary of this shocking book for learning the truth about toxic products
Appetite for Profit (free download) Free download summary of this top book for discovering the truth about food companies
Additional Products of Interest to AllBreville Juice Fountain Elite 800JEXL☯ Simply the best juicer in the world for fast, easy juicing
Paraliminal Audio Courses☯ Powerful mind-enhancing audio therapy for reprogramming your mind for a new future
How to Halt Diabetes in 25 Days☯ Health Ranger guide to reversing diabetes for reversing type-2 diabetes
Boku Superfood High-potency superfood powder for preventing numerous diseases
Preparedness Tools Natural News Bundle☯ For preparedness and safety: 60% off for preparing for natural disasters
Katadyn Exstream XR Water Purifier☯ #1 personal water purifier for clean, pristine water in seconds
Healing Cancer From the Inside Out (DVD) Amazing, eye-opening cancer documentary for anyone wanting to know the truth on cancer
Zeitgeist: Addendum - Must-See Movie A shocking documentary about money for people who wan to know the real truth
The Genie In Your Genes by Dawson Church A free, downloadable summary of this book for learning about the biology of intention
The Biology of Belief by Bruce Lipton A free download of Biology of Belief for learning about the mind-biology connection
Living Fuel SuperBerry Ultimate Delicious superfood meal powder for disease prevention, antioxidant boost
Hair Soap A pure, simple and chemical-free shampoo for washing hair without chemicals
Aloe Vera 100 Pure, dried 100% aloe vera gel flakes for sludge blood, IBS, Crohn's disease
Free download: Selling Sickness (summary) Read the best book on disease mongering for learning the truth about Big Pharma
Katadyn MicroPur Water Purifier Tablets☯ The best water purification tablets for purifying almost any water source
Vitamineral Green from Healthforce Nutrient-dense superfood powder for disease prevention, body alkalizing & more
Fucoxanthin with PinnoThin Natural appetite suppressant for obesity, overweight, overeating
Zyflamend Powerful anti-inflammatory herbal formula for arthritis, joint pain, inflammation
Nascent Iodine Miraculous nascent iodine solution for thyroid function, Alzheimer's, brain func.
Blood Support Halts growth of cancer tumors for breast cancer and all cancers
Amaz-a-Power Amazing wild berry tincture from Peru for eye & brain protection, cancer prevention
P-73 Oreganol Potent source of wildcrafted oregano oil for parasites, heart disease, immune func.
Ocean Minerals Pure Magnesium Oil #1 product for magnesium therapy for back pain, heart health, muscle health
MGC-5 Mushroom Extracts Potent extracts of medicinal mushrooms for reversing cancer, boosting immune function
* Products do NOT pay to be listed here. These are genuine, independent recommendations by the Health Ranger
☯ Products with this symbol are sold by NaturalNews or its affiliates and earn revenues for NaturalNews
|
|