While driving to work the other day I was listening to a radio program on which they were interviewing a representative of the American Cancer Society. She was assigned to educate the public about nutrition and exercise programs for prevention. She shared that ACS did a recent survey of a large cross section of Americans asking the following questions:
Do you believe your risk of heart disease can be affected by dietary changes? 90% of participants answered yes.
Do you believe your risk of diabetes can be affected by dietary changes? 60% of participants answered yes.
Do you believe your risk of cancer can be affected by dietary changes? 10% of participants answered yes.
I was surprised by the answer to the cancer question. I thought more people would have an understanding of the bearing nutrition has on their overall health. The American Heart Association has done a great deal of work educating the public about heart disease and proper diet, but apparently there is work to be done regarding nutritional education for other health risks.
With access to the internet information is available to us now more than ever. It is important for you to assume the role of the proactive, self-informed patient with any issues regarding your health. So much can be done to improve your health in small ways everyday. Our practice was developed to help the people of our community to proactively learn about their health instead of waiting for disease. We want to help provide the support you need to improve your long term health profile and help you reach your personal goals.
This link: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.3322/canjclin.56.5.254/full will take you to a 2006 article by the ACS about cancer prevention and nutrition. It is one place to start.
This link: http://altmedrev.com/thorne/index2.php?option=com_sobi2&sobi2Task=dd_download&fid=12&format=html&Itemid=70 will take you to a study published in Alternative Medicine Review that gives information about various nutrients role in the prevention of disease. Additionally, our office has copies available of several other studies regarding specific nutrients and their relation to wellness. We want our patients to be empowered with information that makes sense to them. We are here to provide support to you as you seek the tools necessary to improve your health.
“A wise man should consider that health is the greatest of human blessings, and learn how by his own thought to derive benefit from his illnesses.”
Hippocrates
