How to prevent cancer ?

Here are few simple ways of reducing your chances of getting cancer:

Lose excess weight

Get more exercise / increase the level of physical activity

Eat a healthy diet

Stop smoking

Though these look simple, and known for ages, it is difficult to practice, because it requires a change in the behavior. But it is worth the effort, as these basic behavior changes would have a tremendous impact on the incidence of the most prevalent type of cancer- lung, breast, prostate and colon cancer, reports science daily based on the news release issued by Washington university school of medicine in St Louis.

The statistics are alarming. Every year, more than 500,000 Americans die from cancer. The National Cancer Institute estimates that on average each person who dies from cancer loses 15 years of life, and altogether cancer deaths were responsible for nearly 8.7 million person-years of life lost in 2003, the most recent year for which the data were available.

The recommendations for preventing cancer also include avoiding excess alcohol consumption, taking a multivitamin with folate and protecting yourself from too much sun and from sexually transmitted diseases.

Prevent Hypertension by physical activity

Physical activity should be considered for preventing hypertension in young adults. Based on the research done at the University of Minnesota, science daily reports that young adults who spend more time in physical activity have reduced risk of developing high blood pressure.

The present generation can be referred as a generation of “sitters” – we sit in the private or public transport to go to place of work, sit through the day for studies or work, sit again to come back to home only to sit in front of TV! Blessed are those who do not fall in to this pattern. Things were different, a few decades back when some kind of physical activity was in built in the day to day activities.

The study found that young adults who exercised an average of five times a week and expended 300 calories per exercise session experienced a 17 percent reduction in the risk of developing hypertension.

So have exercise or physical activity a part of daily routine .Life can be more beautiful!

Plan your meals for a long life

Low calorie diet can increase health and longevity. The total number of calories which are consumed, rather than the type of food which is the key to the effects of low calorie diets on the ageing process. Low calorie and a highly nutritious diet can help achieve good health.

A long life is worth having, only when you have the health and energy to live. Without sound health, life can be a torture. It is worth putting some effort to plan what you eat. But how to find the calorie values of so many different food? How to really reduce the calorie intake?

National Heart Blood and Lung Institute ( NHBLI ), under the Obesity education initiative has made available a Menu planner. This is an interactive planner, you can use to plan your meals or assess the calorie intake for every meal you have. It helps you to choose various food options for breakfast, lunch and dinner along with the calorie values for the standard servings. http://hp2010.nhlbihin.net/menuplanner/menu.cgi

Enjoy the good health !