Functional medicine doctors Hyman, Goldman , Klatz and others talk and write about longevity and its implications. These knowledgeable and formidable doctors have collected data regarding how to live a healthy and long life . I'm in agreement with their ideas but will present barriers affecting a healthy longevity.
Currently, over 80% of our population have a chronic disease which is defined as persistent and long-lasting that includes diabetes, functional gastrointestinal disorder, arthritis, asthma, pulmonary disease, dementia, cancer, and so forth. Also, about 68% of those individuals with one of these diagnoses have an additional disease. How can those numbers be accurate in a country that's considered "wealthy," with outstanding medical doctors, with much medical research in our highly functioning capitalistic, military-industrial technological complex ? Moreover, there is a flood of information regarding theories of aging, the right hormones, minerals ,vitamins, exercise, diets, apps, physical fitness materials , gyms , etc. In fact, one's biological and chronological age can also be determined as well as the characteristics of centenarians living in Blue Zones. It's been said that people from Blue Zones who come to our country die faster than they would if they had remained in their own country. In other words, we are the home of the free,of the brave and of death.
Genetics , behavioral choice , society, and nature are barriers that affect health significantly . For example, my grandfather passed away when dad was nine years of age from diabetes . Dad had juvenile diabetes, and lived until his early 70s. As a teen, on some of our outings, we traveled to Windsor, Ontario to buy insulin. We then had lunch and then a haircut for me .Dad knew his fate regarding eventual loss of eyesight, poor circulation and amputation. Dad called this disease a curse. In the end, in a nursing facility he was depressed as the amputations progressed. In essence, genetic influences are terrible . . .
Lifestyle has been attributed to as much as a 50% causation in contributors to disease, as in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. When I was 68 years of age. I suffered an equine injury resulting in broken neck bones. The orthopedic surgeon told me that if I continued my equine activities, I would wind up like Christopher Reeve. I believed the message and quit riding . Linda in her 80s, had an equine injury resulting in TBI and cognitive decline. A number of my football buddies have sustained injuries that have affected their ongoing health.
Other health barriers relate to being in the military , police force, a firefighter and other dangerous occupations affecting health, suicide , physical disability , toxic environment,s as stress rates indicate . Also, smoking , alcohol, drugs, eating ,movement, partners,divorce, death, separation, incarceration ,being fired , retirement children and even dementia caretakers are risks and factors or barriers interfering with health outcomes..
What about food and nutrition as risk factors? Two thirds of the population are overweight and/or obese; an average American consumes 152 pounds of sugar and 133 pounds of starch per year. If you visit a supermarket, one finds it at both ends of the store. fruits and vegetables. The rest of the store is filled with packaged processed foods filled with sugar, salt and flour. These food isles have little phytonutrients, or health benefits but harm aplenty .
Yes, the farmers grow food and have to deal with drought , insects and use pesticides that affect a profitable harvest. Shelflife is important for foods in this industry . Organic foods are expensive but recommended.. Does it make a difference that the CDC ,EPA and other federal agencies are being downsized or putting in charge anti-vaccine Kennedy Junior of the Nation's Health ? Drinking water ,chlorination, and polluting the environment are other toxic contributors to poor health and disease..
TV advertising of foods, products and meds picture smiling individuals. This propaganda is also a barrier because it suggests that all you need to do is to eat , drink , take a pill, consume some product and you'll be happy too.The message is superficial ,demeaning, and a lie. So what if Premarin is derived from pregnant horse urine. So what, if lying is the norm .
A brief word about incorporating a healthy mental and physical lifestyle. Decisions, decisions seem to be a major problem since a decision today affects an unknown future situation. In other words, a decision in the here and now may be correct, but not in the long-term as situations and variables change. It's true that the information regarding health is progressing and that it takes time and energy to keep abreast
Obviously socioeconomics is an important variable regarding making right decisions regarding health. Time is also required to understand and locate the right foods along with the proper movement or exercise. Cardio and strength training for one hour a day may be available for some. Obtaining the right amount of sleep, hormesis, availability of hot and cold showers. sauna, yoga, bands,and free weights require time, money and commitment. Simply put, one's behavioral goal ,consistency and purpose tells the story. In my read It Has Nothing to Do with Age, I listed a number of prescriptions for healthy aging, but omitted nutrition.On the other hand, the frailty, the irrationality and the ego need of abasement are the reality bearers related to man's self-destruction and interfere with a healthy well-being.
The stress related to nature's realities of climate change flooding, hurricanes, fires and earthquakes also play a part because of related stress and are significant barriers to well-being
A few articles found in the February 23, 2025 edition of The New York Times pertaining to stress: 1. How a CryptoCurrency Scam Destroyed a Small Town. 2. As Prices Soar, Coffee Growers Are Worried 3. Noise Complaints Led to a $ 750,000 Legal Settlement and a Shattered Friendship. 4. Shoppers Go Online to Pay Clearly for Beloved Items that have been Discontinued. 5. Requirements by Insurance Companies Add to the Burden After a Devastating Fire 6. Kathy Hochul's Plans for Changes to Mental Health Laws Face a Barrage of Opposition 7. New York Pulls School Funding From Two Yeshives That Ignored Laws 8. Key to Trump Success Is His Knack For Creative Lying 9. President Ousts Top US General As Part of Purge 10. They Escaped From Mass Shooting, But Teacher Never Left Students of Room 1214 11. Landslides in California Creep Along., Then Speed Up 12. Fired Top Navy Officer Recorded Historic Firsts 13. Layoffs at Safety Agency Investigating Musk's Cars 14. Do you really know what you're injecting into your body? 15. No Rest For Federal Judges Ruling on Executive Orders 16. Under Trump, DC Braces for Economic Shock 17. The Real Reason Trump Pushes Tariffs 18. Roberts's Entire Life Has Led to This Moment. 19 Real Estate listings$1,995,000 midtown condo; $1,399,000 New Rochelle Victorian; $1,699,000 Turtle Bay condos;$ 1,700,000 Westport Colonial and$ 765,000 Clinton Hill co-op.
Stress is a serious mind-body connection associated with loss of appetite,and increased blood pressure. When stress becomes negative it's our responses to it that creates a number of ailments from mental frustration such as anxiety, depression, headaches, allergies, ulcers, and heart disease.
In conclusion, engaging in a healthy lifestyle is a choice. The variables of heredity, nutrition, exercise, are important considerations for positive mental and physical health. Statistically, our Republic's health is severely lacking. However, adding a fascist component, as a stress variable, suggests a decline in mental and physical health outcomes. This additional government factor adds an inordinate amount of uncertainty to the socioeconomic welfare or stress to our Republic’s well being .
