Inexpensive, Reasonable Health Protection

Q:  I’m trying to adopt some healthier lifestyle habits and am confused by all the recommendations out there. Are there some safe products that are easy to find that might help me avoid getting sick?

A:  The marketplace is very confusing, even for me. It’s very hard to keep up with all the products that are available, to know whether they work, and if they’re safe. As a physician and for my own health, I make decisions based on scientific studies. These studies are similar to the product testing that you might read about in the magazine Consumer Reports. Certain rules must be followed properly to produce results that then can be duplicated by others. This system is not foolproof, but generally trustworthy.

In light of your question, consider this low-cost, high-yield, safe combination that is readily available:

Aspirin: There are convincing studies that show that daily aspirin use can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in adults. There is emerging evidence that suggests that it can reduce the risk for colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Cost = ~4 cents per day for a baby aspirin

Calcium Supplementation: The diets of most Americans of all ages and both sexes are typically deficient in calcium. The main consequence is the development of osteoporosis and a coincident increase in the risk for hip fractures and compression fracture of the spine. There is also some evidence that calcium reduces the risk of colon cancer as well.
Cost = ~7 cents per day for 1200mg.

Multivitamins: The diets of many Americans are nutritionally unbalanced, making the use of a multivitamin reasonable.
Cost = ~5 cents per day

Wine: First, researchers found that red wine contains chemicals called flavinoids that appear to reduce the risk for heart attacks and strokes for adults and have a beneficial effect on one’s cholesterol when used in moderation. Now, new information shows that any form of alcohol is acceptable so long as the volume is limited 2 to 4 ounces per day, or one beer per day if that is your beverage of choice. Cost = ~$2 per day average.

The Bottom Line
For a grand total of $2.16 per day, or just 16 cents per day if you opt out on the wine, you can measurably reduce your risks for serious illness. Check with your doctor before implementing any of these solutions.

…And a brief update on obesity and “hibernation syndrome”
Although I’ve never seen it confirmed in a study, I’m convinced that for those of us in cold-weather climates, a hibernation syndrome sets in during the winter that makes us hungrier. Based on a recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the fast food and convenience food industries have kindly obliged us by significantly increasing portion sizes. This has profound significance now that at least one of every three Americans is obese.

Obesity is defined as a weight more than 20% over your ideal or a Body Mass Index of 30 or more. Obese people are at a greater risk for heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, and joint related disease. The JAMA study estimated that some obese people are shortening their life span by as much as thirty years. That translates into missed birthdays, graduations, marriages and other important life events all due to seriously unhealthy eating and exercise habits.

Remember that when you say yes to “Do you want this supersized?”, you're also saying “no” to a healthier life.

"Your Health" provides easy-to-understand information about common health conditions.