
Poor nutrition tied to nearly half of deaths from heart disease, diabetes, stroke
We all know that nutrition impacts health. Researchers of a recent study found 45.4 percent of deaths from heart disease, diabetes and stroke in 2012 were tied to poor diet.
The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in March 2017, examined the link between 10 dietary factors and deaths from heart disease and diabetes between 2002 and 2012.
Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, researchers found 702,308 adults over 25 years of age died from heart disease, diabetes or stroke in the United States in 2012. Of those adults nearly half of those who died had high sodium intake, had lack of nuts and seeds in their diet, were drinking too many sugar sweetened beverages, consumed low amounts of fruits and vegetables, consumed low seafood omega-3 fats or consumed high processed meats.
Nutrition affects the total body
If the body receives the necessary nutrients from a well-rounded diet, a person can feel more energized, more productive and may have an overall feeling of health and well-being. Gabriela Cora, M.D., D.F.A.P.A., M.H.A., M.B.A., a medical director for Aetna Behavioral Health, equates the body to a Ferrari.
“A Ferrari could run very well, but if you don’t give it the right fuel and you press the accelerator, it’s not going to work very well,” Cora said. “Even if you have the best of cars, its best performance will only happen if you use the right fuel.
“Our bodies work the same way in this respect. To keep them in great shape and optimal performance, we need to feed the right food to them.”
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