Heart disease, which is largely preventable, will account for 26% of American deaths this year, making it the number one killer in the country. Compare this to all combined forms of cancer which will account for around 23% of deaths. While we don't know exactly what causes cancer, we do understand that eating low fat and high fiber natural foods and having an active life style all but eliminate the risk for heart disease. What is seldom talked about, however, is how being overweight and obese not only destroys your body, but it's becoming increasingly clear that it also affects how well your mind works. Here are just a few recent examples:
Diabetes and Schizophrenia: In March of 2009 researchers at the Medical College of Georgia discovered that people who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia (regardless of whether they are being medicated or not) are at an increased risk for type 2 (lifestyle choices) diabetes. They found that in a group of people who were newly diagnosed with schizophrenia or a related psychotic disorder with no other known risk factors, 16% had either diabetes or an abnormal rate of glucose metabolism or blood sugar. In the general American population, only 7.8% have diabetes.
Obesity and Alzheimer's: In May of this year, researchers at Boston University School of Medicine, lead by Sudha Seshadri found that middle aged people with an excess of abdominal fat may be at an increased risk for dementia. Notice in the picture below how the 250 lb person has yellow spots in their brain (fat) and also how much more black area (liquid erosion) they have, as well as how much smaller the overall brain is. Once the body has fat packed into all other areas, excess fat starts to develop around and lean against the brain. Having so much extra weight on the brain put you at risk for burst blood vessels, also known as strokes. The researchers measured BMI, hip to waist ratio, waist circumference and abdominal fat. They then measured both brain volume and function. The correlation was stronger in older participants then younger participants which means that if you are overweight and young, you still have time to work off those pounds and save your brain.
Dopamine and Insulin: Scientists don't need to tell you that when people experience a drop in blood sugar, they get mean. It stands to reason that this is an evolutionary response triggered by your body being afraid it's dying and therefore becoming less compassionate and more selfish. The complex reasoning behind this, found by Dr. Aurelio Galli at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, is that insulin, the hormone that regulates glucose metabolism (blood sugar) in the body, also regulates the brain's supply of dopamine. Dopamine as far as your brain is concerned is the nectar of the gods. It regulates such varied and critical factors as motor activity, pleasure, sociability, and pain relief. Dopamine signaling problems have been associated with Parkinson's disease, depression, schizophrenia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
We live in a society that sets us up to ruin our bodies and therefore erode our minds. Fast food industries have far too much of a hand in food production and because of that America is in an incredible obesity crisis that drain us not only of ourselves but also taxes the health care system in such detrimental ways that it's impossible to afford to pay for everyone. If you don't already work out on a regular basis, start today. You'll not only live to meet your grandchildren, but you'll even remember their names.
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090330165808.htm
http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/diabetes-statistics
http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/news-515419-98.html
http://www.betterhealthresearch.com/news/overweight-patients-more-likely-to-develop-dementia-2-19793265/
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