4 Top Tips To Prevent Chronic Diseases
This is a collaborative post
Many people face long-term health issues, with research revealing that 1 in 3 British adults are dealing with them by the time they hit middle age. However, you can often reduce the likelihood of this by making lifestyle changes, which can add up and become habits. Rather than make instant changes, it’s better to do so gradually to make it easier to stick to them. Here are four simple tips you can start working into your daily routine to help prevent chronic diseases.
- Monitor your weight
Watching your weight is not just about being overweight, but underweight too. The idea is to find the sweet spot and keep a healthy body fat percentage for your age. Being overweight or underweight can bring many challenges, like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart problems. Too little weight can also spell trouble for your bones with osteoporosis. Maintaining a healthy weight comes down to eating balanced meals and regular exercise. So, assess your weight-related habits and make changes where necessary, as not doing so might affect your energy and food choices.
- Cut down on salt
Cutting down on your salt intake can make a real difference. Too much salt often leads to high blood pressure, and depending on your genes, you should be more mindful of this than others. Salt is mainly sodium chloride, and when consumed excessively, your blood gets packed with sodium. Then, the kidneys struggle to squeeze out the excess water, leading to higher blood pressure. So, it’s a smart move to dial back on the salt. Instead of reaching for the salt pot, try spicing up your food with fresh or dried herbs, a sprinkle of dried spices, and ingredients like onion, garlic, ginger, and chilli. These swaps can add loads of flavour without the need for extra salt.
- Have regular health check-ups
Keeping up with regular health checks is more significant than you think. It’s not just about what’s happening in your body but also catching any possible problems early. These check-ups involve different tests and screenings that help pick up issues in their early stages, giving you a better chance of dealing with them before they get serious. Things like monitoring your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood sugar, and body weight are all part of this. When doctors keep tabs on these key health indicators, they can advise you on lifestyle changes or treatments that might help. For example, a regular cancer check can be part of your list of check-ups, which will assist with early detection of any potential issues, so they can be treated more effectively.
- Eat healthy
Eating properly is key to keeping healthy no matter your age. Aside from filling your stomach, eat healthy to feed your body the good stuff that keeps you ticking. When you munch on healthier food, the perks are huge. You can live longer and reduce the risks of several health conditions. For little ones, breastfeeding is a super source of nutrition that is proven to cut the risk of conditions like asthma, diabetes, and a bunch of infections. As you grow, a healthy diet is a mix of good stuff, from fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean protein, and low-fat dairy.
