Man’s perennial quest to discover the ‘Fountain of Youth’ has been thus far, most disappointing. Discoveries and research findings of the last few decades however, are encouraging. Today, the possibility of increasing average human lifespan to 100 years is very real and reachable. Improvements made in areas like genetics, nutrition, early detection and more effective treatment for chronic diseases can take full credit for this. Through continued clinical studies and other research projects, scientists have been exploring how we can do to boost our odds to celebrate our 100th birthday.
Another well known fact: the majority of people possess genes that will allow us to reach our late 80’s and early 90’s. An equally important scientific reality is that “humans are more than their genes.” Whether we die sooner or later is dictated by the food we consume, our lifestyle and living environment. Modern research shows that it is possible to turn our genes on and off through nutrition and lifestyle change. This is not the end of the story. The implication is more profound. The nutrition a mother gets during her pregnancy can implant ‘genetic tags’ for chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease etc. For example, harmful habits such as smoking and drinking, being sedentary, eating unhealthy food and exposure to environmental pollution are real factors fighting against our genes thus lowering our lifespan. For this very reason, we must explore all available tools and lifestyle choices that have positive and profound impacts on our genes. Research we do now, is very promising.
Our Present Plight in Health Care
Most countries around the world are facing a serious health threat from non communicable diseases (NCDs), also called lifestyle or chronic diseases. This group of diseases are a major cause for dying (mortality). In USA, chronic disease is responsible for 7 out of 10 deaths. Often NCDs also bring about complications, suffering, crippling and ill health over prolonged periods of time (morbidity). In fact these are among the most common costly and preventable of all health problems. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA, 28 per cent of Americans suffer from at least two chronic conditions; heart disease and stroke, diabetes, obesity, cancer, and lung disease are prime examples. The impact of these lifestyle diseases on the health and well being of the people directly and indirectly affected and the general economic well-being of the nations, are serious concerns. As we noted earlier, building wealth depends on the health of its builders. Millions of people are thus affected world-wide. Lots and lots of money are expended or lost on treatments and from the loss of productivity. The fact remains: in USA, 86 cents of every health care dollar is spent on the treatment of people with chronic diseases. Bear in mind, the risk factors and types of behavior associated with these diseases such as lack of physical activity, unhealthy diet, tobacco use, alcohol and drug abuse and exposure to environmental and other work related pollution have been widely known for many decades. We also knew that these diseases are preventable. Many bodily changes are reversible or can be delayed. But unfortunately, instead of emphasizing the importance of prevention and wellness, thus keeping people healthy, our present system of health care, by and large treats symptoms, illnesses and diseases as they occur. Sadly, this is happening all over the world now. The worldwide spread of the corona virus (COVID-19) and the loss of thousands of human lives since the beginning of this year and is a grim reminder of this scientific truth. Studies show that more than fifty per cent of the time, people do not receive their recommended preventive care. Therefore, the incidence and prevalence of these epidemic, pandemic, and lifestyle diseases continue to grow and the problems multiply. Let us pause and pose a sensible question: Do we want to suffer the fate of such sick people, or rather exercise some smart choices in life and avoid becoming one of those world statistic?
India International Health Foundation 