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Archived
21st Century Healthcare and Aging
What was the greatest gift to healthcare in the 20th Century?
Nobel laureate Gary Becker suggests it is the extending of the
human lifespan - anti-aging - and he has a point.
GO BACK 100 YEARS
In
1900, the expected lifespan in the western world was 45 years.
In 2000 it has extended by two thirds - to 75 years. Aging has
'come of age', so to speak.
In 1900, birth was a very dangerous business; one in every ten
babies - and about the same number of mothers - died during, or
soon after, childbirth. Today, the comparable figures for the
West are near zero.
In those distant days 100 years ago, death was mainly caused by
matters beyond our control. If you survived the risks of
childbirth, fatal infections were common. Until the discovery
of Penicillin in the late 1920's, there was little protection
against diphtheria, polio, syphilis and tuberculosis. Even
influenza was frequently a killer.
Life expectation was still increasing
slowly for many people.
The Industrial Revolution meant that by 1900, most people lived
in towns. Any connections with country knowledge - such as the
herbal tradition - had largely been lost.
TODAY - DEATH IS HABIT RELATED
In the 21st century, however, the causes of death are mainly
related to our habits and behaviours.
So aging is directly affected by our
habits.
Examples are:
* Over-consumption of fats and non-nutritious (junk) food,
* Insufficient exercise,
* Overdoses of recreational drugs,
* Suicide,
* Drunk driving, and
* AIDS.
CHEER UP!
The fact that most people contribute to their own early death
through their bad habits could be a bit depressing .... but
hold on - turn it around, and you can say:
LONG, HEALTHY, LIFE IS WITHIN YOUR
CONSCIOUS CONTROL!
YES - a long, healthy life really is
YOURS for the choosing - by changing your habits! You can
affect your own aging.
Of course, there is the odd person who is going to fall under a
bus! But for the majority, you really can choose to live a long
and healthy life -
IF ...
You are
Willing to Change Your Habits!
You can do this progressively, and gradually over a
period of years.
YOU ALREADY KNOW IT MAKES SENSE
If you are reading this ezine, you are already interested in
natural healthcare to a greater or lesser degree.
So, I am going to appeal to those of you who KNOW it makes
sense to change your habits - but are having some trouble!
Here are three important points which may help you to change
from unhealthy habits, to healthy habits.
[Next: First important point
for good health...]
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