RESEARCH FOR HEALTHY LIVING.

 

 Aspects of Healthy                                                                            Living:     

            ·   Balanced Diet:

   A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and       whole grains, with reduced intake of sugar,         salt, and harmful fats, is essential for overall health and disease prevention. 

·         Regular Physical Activity:

Engaging in regular physical activity, even in short bursts, can improve physical fitness, mood, and sleep quality. 

·         Adequate Sleep:

Maintaining a regular sleep pattern is crucial for physical and mental restoration, and sleep disorders can have significant social and health consequences. 

·         Stress Management:

Developing effective stress management techniques is vital for mental well-being and can positively impact overall health. 

·         Supplementation:

While a balanced diet should provide most necessary nutrients, some individuals may benefit from supplementation after consulting with a healthcare professional. 

·         Limit Alcohol and Avoid Smoking:

Excessive alcohol consumption and smoking are detrimental to health and should be avoided or minimized. 

·         Regular Health Check-ups:

Regularly checking blood pressure and other health indicators can help detect potential problems early. 

·         Maintain a Healthy Weight:

Achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight is important for overall health and can reduce the risk of various diseases. 

    Benefits of a Healthy                               

               Lifestyle:

   

       Disease Prevention:

Healthy lifestyle choices can significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers. 

      ·    Increased Life Expectancy:

Studies have shown that individuals who maintain healthy lifestyle factors can live significantly longer than those who do not. 

·         Improved Mental Well-being:

Regular physical activity, adequate sleep, and stress management techniques can improve mood, reduce anxiety, and enhance cognitive function. 

·         Enhanced Vitality:

A healthy lifestyle can lead to increased energy levels, better sleep quality, and improved overall vitality. 

·         Cognitive Enhancement:

Physical activity and a healthy diet can improve brain function and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. 

·         Cost Savings:

Adopting healthy habits can lead to lower healthcare costs in the long run due to reduced disease incidence and improved overall health. 

Obesity and Nutrition:

The problem of obesity seems straightforward: When we eat more calories than we burn, our bodies store this extra energy as fat. Yet, we all know how hard it can be just to lose a few pounds. And solving this problem on 
a population-sized scale has proven to be tremendously difficult. That is because so many factors play a role: where we live and work, how much time we spend sitting – and the availability of safe spaces for exercise – and the fact that many people cannot choose alternatives. Access to nutritious food can be a major barrier for many with low incomes or mobility limitations.

Heredity also has an impact. For example, NIH research shows that certain gene variations that occur in one 
of six people of European descent translate into an extra 7 pounds, on average. Those discoveries are pointing to pathways involved in obesity that suggest potential ways to prevent undesirable weight gain. Research on the social factors contributing to obesity also offers ideas for intervention. When people are provided funds to buy food once a week, instead of monthly, they are more likely to buy fresh fruits and vegetables instead of pre-packaged (and often less-nutritious) goods. We also know that affordable housing programs lead to better nutrition, because people no longer must compromise on food 
in order to pay rent.

 

Arthritis:

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, but there are about 100 rheumatic diseases in all. Thanks to NIH research, the outlook has improved dramatically for rheumatoid arthritis, which generally appears much earlier in life than osteoarthritis. As recently as 30 years ago, treatment was limited to aspirin, gold salts, and heat rubs such as methyl salicy-late (the active ingredient in BENGAY®), none of which worked well and could produce serious side effects. NIH research led to three FDA-approved medicines that have had a remarkable effect on the lives of people who live with rheumatoid arthritis, reducing pain and swelling, increasing energy, and even helping to repair joint damage.

Oral Health:

Today, research on oral health extends far beyond teeth. NIH researchers consider the mouth an expansive living laboratory to understand infections, cancer, and even healthy development processes. For example, we know that oral tissues and fluids, which are home to about 600 unique microbial species, can have remarkable protective roles against infection and possibly other conditions.

NIH research on oral health is working to understand and manipulate the body’s innate ability to repair and regenerate damaged or diseased tissues. These approaches will guide prevention and treatment of health problems not only in teeth and in the mouth, but also in other organs and tissues.

Vision:

Thanks to NIH research, we know a lot about the underlying causes of vision loss. For example, we know that AMD is caused by the formation of abnormal, leaky blood vessels in the eye. Eye injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth-factor drugs, such as ranibizumab and bevacizumab, inhibit the growth and leakage of fluid from these abnormal blood vessels and, in some cases, even reverse vision loss.

In addition to AMD, cataracts, glaucoma, and inherited eye disorders cause either blindness or low-vision in millions of Americans. NIH research is providing hope. For example, a recent study in mice showed that cells within an injured eye can be coaxed into regenerating neurons that appeared to integrate themselves into the eye’s nerve circuitry. NIH scientists are also developing several technologies to help people with low vision or blindness navigate their surroundings more safely and confidently. These include a GPS-guided cane, a robotic glove, and a smartphone app for safely navigating crosswalks.