This Makes Me Sick

New research from Eileen Crimmins, and Hiram Beltrán-Sánchez, published in the December 2010 issue of the Journal of Gerontology.shows that average "morbidity," or, the period of life spent with serious disease or loss of functional mobility, has increased in the last few decades. The proportion of the population with multiple diseases also increased.

Crimmins said, "The growing problem of lifelong obesity and increases in hypertension and high cholesterol are a sign that health may not be improving with each generation. She adds that, "we do not appear to be moving to a world where we die without experiencing significant periods of disease, functioning loss, and disability."

Not once, have I had a patient say to me, "Doc, when I get older I can't wait to have significant periods of disease," or "Functional loss is my friend, I never really wanted to walk a full flight of stairs anyway." Surprisingly, nobody tells me, "I long for a life of prolonged disability."

Think long and hard about what you want for your future. After all, the future is where you will spend the rest of your life - like it or not. What patients do tell me is, "Doc when I get older I want to be as resistant to disease as possible," and "I want to get down on the floor and play with my grand-kids...I want to carry them when they are babies, and never want them to have to carry me because I cannot move myself." Not surprisingly, people share their deepest desire and it goes like this, "I want to live a long life in perfect health."

Here's the rub and the above study reinforces this. As a nation, we are living longer, but our quality of health is getting worse. Here is the good news; we do not live and die as a nation. You are a unique individual. You may not get to choose the direction of the wind, but you do get to steer your course.

It makes me sick to witness the discouraging trends of obesity, to see chronic degenerative diseases on the rise and to increasingly hear about how devastating dysfunctional aging can be. It makes me sick to watch preventable problems gain a foothold in the lives of once healthy, vital individuals. And finally, it makes me sick to see people choose to let their health take a back seat.

The take-a-way from this study: Preventive care of your incredible body will lead to a longer disease-free life. When you are healthy, you are at your best; you will learn more, earn more and enjoy life more. You will be able to serve more and make a bigger difference in this world.

It's Time To Change

Here are a few aspects of a healthy life to focus on as you discover strategies for optimal living.

* Get serious about your health. You get only one body, your earthsuit is the one thing that will be with you until you pass on, so stop treating it with contempt and start treating it with the respect and commitment it deserves.
* Don't worry about weight, but get rid of excessive body fat. Excess fat slows you down, steals your health, makes you prone to degenerative complaints and will rob you of the ability to fully enjoy life as you age.
* Move every day, in every way. Life is about motion. The "dance of life" is not just a catchy cliché, but a true statement of how life unfolds through your body and why we must value motion. Each joint and every muscle should be moved regularly, with intent, through its full range. Workout if you must, but it's far better to play. Learn to enjoy whatever you do to stay fit.
* Don't let the world get you down. If you think coasting along with the crowd will make your life easier, you're wrong! Just look at the results. The Standard American Diet (SAD) is the formula to tear down your health and our national preoccupation with depressing news and unfulfilling media experiences is enough to bring anyone down. Eat real, nutrient rich food. Expose yourself to books, upbeat movies and songs that make you feel good, and surround yourself with good friends and avoid toxic people whenever possible.
* Pray more.