The State of Our Health: Today’s Trends in the U.S.

Our Major Health Issues and How to Deal with Them

U.S. health trends today are very polar in information available versus what actions are actually being taken. On one side of the spectrum there is more awareness and education available than ever in leading a healthy lifestyle. Yet ironically health issues, particularly chronic illnesses, are becoming more commonplace in the world today. This is most likely attributed to two things: Improvements in medical science and diagnostics that have simply lead to better identification and reporting of illness. Additionally, people are so bombarded with poor health and lifestyle choices that it can be a quick and slippery slope to bad health.

Our health trends say it all.

Overall, as a nation we are getting more and more unhealthy. Weight problems and all its associated chronic illnesses (diabetes, heart disease, etc.) have skyrocketed. General trends in exercise, sleep and alcohol consumption have fluctuated over the last decade with no promising improvements. The only good news is that cigarette smoking has significantly dropped in the last half a century from 42 to only 14% of adults.

Our health awareness is missing action.

Nowadays most Americans understand that eating junk food, cigarette smoking, drinking extreme amounts of alcohol and avoiding exercise are lifestyle choices that have major side effects on their health. When reviewing U.S. health trends and statistics it is clear that there is a big disconnect between “what we know” and how we make health conscious decisions.

Some Statistics about American Health Trends

• More than half of what Americans eat is super-processed.
• The majority of Americans eat less than the recommended quantities of veggies, fruits, whole-grains, dairy products, and oils.
• 90% of Americans consume more sodium than is recommended for a good diet.
• Reported trends from 2015-2017 show that 40% of adults and 18.5% of children are obese.
• Less than 3% of Americans meet the basic requirements for a “healthy” lifestyle in activity, nutrition, smoking and overall body composition.
• 1 in 3 adults aren’t getting enough sleep each night. Sleeping less than 7 -9 hours each night is resulting in chronic “sleep debt.”
• About 6 in 10 adults report being involved in some form of exercise each week. Although only about 3 in 10 regularly engage in physical exercise (more than 3 times per week).
• Children now spend a lot more than seven and a half hours a day facing a screen (e.g., TV, video games, computer).
• Over half of all Americans report being outside less than 5 hours per week, demonstrating a growing disconnect from nature.
• A small percentage of people regularly engage in some form of a mindfulness routine. Only 8% of American reports regularly meditating for their health.
• School age students are reported to be less resilient today causing increased mental health issues.
• Anxiety disorders are most prevalent in the U.S. with almost 7% of Americans being effected specifically by depression.
• 6 in 10 adults in the U.S. have a chronic disease. 4 in 10 have two or more! This is costing our health care system over 3 trillion dollars a year.
• Approximately 39% of Americans will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives.

Today’s Most Prevalent Health Trends:

Chronic illness affects every person in the U.S. whether it is directly or indirectly. It puts a huge burden on our friends, families and health care system. It results in so much suffering from all sides. Most (if not all) of these illnesses are easily managed and preventable with the right attention to our health. So what is the reason for such a big disconnect? Health Means Wealth was born to answer this complex question and we are determined to get to the bottom of it!

Heart Disease

For both women and men, cardiovascular (or heart) disease kills the biggest number of Americans each year. In accordance with the American Heart Association, heart disease, which results in heart attacks and strokes, kills more people than all the kinds of cancer combined. Smoking and obesity are two of the biggest risk factors.

High Blood Pressure

More often known as hypertension, high blood pressure is a highly prevalent disease in which blood flows through blood vessels at higher than regular pressures. Hypertension arises when the forces against the artery walls are too high, which can trigger a heart attack or stroke. It is linked to risk factors like age, obesity, smoking, and stress. Hypertension is also called the silent killer since it has no early major symptoms but produces a significantly extra load on the heart and veins.

Cancer

The number of people diagnosed with cancer continues to rise each year. The most common types of cancer include breast and colon cancer for women, prostate and colon cancer for men and lung cancer for both sexes. Lung cancer is responsible for the most deaths and men are at a higher risk of mortality. These types of cancer have all been linked to many lifestyle and environmental risk factors.

Depression

Depression is a psychological health issue described as a continuous sense of despondency and hopelessness making it hard to work, eat, and sleep. Unfortunately, it often goes undiagnosed and untreated. This health issue affects all ages and is reported to be the biggest cause of disability in the world, according to the World Health Organization. Depression and other mental illnesses have been stigmatized for too long. However more awareness for these highly prevalent issues continue to spread.

High Cholesterol

When blood levels of “bad” cholesterol are too high, fatty deposits can start to accumulate in blood vessels and arteries, limiting blood flow. High cholesterol can be genetic or a result of bad diet and lifestyle choices. Although the research is not uniform, we are generally taught that high cholesterol can maximize the risk of cardiac arrest and stroke. Cholesterol has been demonized for decades but newer scientific research shows it isn’t all bad!

Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is one of the leading illnesses that is very well correlated to lifestyle choices. Poor diet, smoking and little exercise are major risk factors. It can result in kidney damage, cardiovascular disease, loss of sight and general poor quality of life. It is also one of the top causes of death in both women and men in the U.S. Diabetes is 100% preventable with the right education and health choices!

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is the 5th major cause of death in women and the 10th in men. Medical professionals do not know specifically what triggers Alzheimer’s disease but there are correlations between this disease and cardiovascular disease, head injuries, poor sleep habits, high anxiety and general poor health.

Kidney Disease

Kidney disease is the 9th primary cause of death for both men and women. It is usually a result of hypertension or diabetic issues. This causes over half a million Americans to be put on dialysis, a process that rapidly decreases quality of life. The American Diabetes Association stresses the significance of keeping your glucose levels under control if you’re a diabetic to be able to avoid kidney disease.

Simple Tips for Improving Overall Health and Preventing Disease

Well that was majorly depressing, but there’s good news! More and more studies are showing that the step to long term good health is what professionals call “lifestyle medicine.” Making simple adjustments in diet, exercise, sleep and stress management is a great place to start. Health management and illness prevention don’t have to be complicated.

Stay Away from Processed Food

Unnatural, overly processed foods are the main reason the world is more overweight and sicker than in the past. This isn’t just greasy fast food either. It’s a lot of staple kitchen items that the food industry has cleverly disguised at healthy. For example, the American Heart Association has their stamp of approval for “heart healthy” on many brands of cereal. Do you know what ingredient makes the top one to five spot? SUGAR. You don’t have to be a doctor to know sugar is not good for you.

Processed foods are low in fiber, protein, and micro-nutrients. Yet full of harmful ingredients like food dyes, all sorts of chemicals, added sugar and refined grains. This is where label reading is paramount. Don’t assume it’s good for you! Try to stay in the perimeter of the grocery store with more of the whole foods. Don’t buy it if there are ingredients you can’t pronounce.

See the Power of Energy for more practical tips for eating healthy.

Manage Your Stress.

In our fast paced world it can be easy to get caught up in it and become anxious. Our addiction to technology and lifestyle choices play a major role in this. A study from 2015 found that people who log more than 55 hours a week at work have a 33% higher risk of heart stroke and a 13% increased risk of heart problems than people who work 35 to 40 hours a week. Long working hours are most likely causing a major spike in stress and making it hard to participate in other healthy life choices. Make time to relax, exercise, socialize and eat healthy. Your stress levels and health will thank you.

Having gratitude is a great place to start if you’re having trouble.

Go to Bed Earlier

The majority of us don’t get the 7-9 hours of sleep we need. Eventually, a lack of shut-eye can increase your risk of an illness with everything from the common cold to diabetes and Alzheimer, no matter your age, weight or exercise routines. Make sure you’re getting good ZZZZs.

If you’re not sure how to begin, check out the Power of Rest.

Get Your Antioxidants.

Antioxidants are super important in ridding the body of free radicals and keeping all cellular function running smoothly. Sadly, the only “food” that most Americans consume regularly with antioxidants is coffee. When drank in moderation and at appropriate times of the day coffee isn’t a problem at all. Yet, there are so many other foods and drinks out there that should be part of a balanced diet. Eating a variety of colored produce, eating fermented foods, using lots of spices while cooking and drinking tea are all great ways to get more antioxidants.

Eat Healthy Fat.

Fat has been demonized for so long, yet it is absolutely essential for normal body function. Diets high in healthy fats are now showing great promise in addressing the world’s diseases. Great fats to try are olive oil, coconut oil, nuts, seeds and grass-fed responsibly sourced meats. A Mediterranean diet high in “fatty” fish has been shown to be generally healthy. This is especially the case with smaller fatty fish, like salmon, anchovies, and sardines, which are full of omega-3 fatty acids and other rich nutrients. Research shows that people who consume the most fish (within reason) have a reduced risk of all kinds of diseases, which includes cardiovascular disease, dementia, and depressive disorders. Fat doesn’t look so bad after all!

Exercise Regularly

Get moving! Thirty minutes of moderate to high intensity exercise at least 3 times per week is recommended. However, shoot for more! Remember there are 24 hours in a day, can’t you spare a little more time to prioritize your health? Even try to dedicate a chunk of time each weekend to get outside. Connect with nature while getting your blood pumping.

Start with some motivation and simple tips with the Power of Exercise.

Take Good Care of Your Gut Health

The bacteria in your gut are now known as the gut microbiota. These gut bugs are extremely important for all kinds of health-relevant aspects. It has even been coined our “second brain” because of all the processes it directly affects in the body. Poor gut health can lead to pretty much any chronic health issue because it disrupts our body’s delicate hormone balance. A good way to boost gut health is to consume probiotic foods (fermented usually), use probiotic supplements and eat a variety of nutritious foods that are naturally high in fiber.

Drink Enough Water, Especially Before Meals

We are mostly made of water after all. Drinking enough water can have several benefits and it is the only liquid we really need to consume. Adequate water intake prevents overeating and promotes good metabolism. According to 2 reports, it can supercharge metabolism by 24-30% over a period of 1.5 hours.  The perfect time to drink water is half an hour before meals. Make sure you are drinking water throughout the day, chugging water once a day isn’t the same!

Don’t Smoke or Do Drugs

If you’re a smoker or use drugs, then diet and exercise are the very least of your problems. Please deal with those issues first by finding a good support system.

Keep All Things in Moderation

Life is about balance. Avoid any habits that trigger a cascade of poor health choices. (If you know you can’t have just one chip, then don’t start!). However, enjoying the occasional treat, glass of alcohol (or two) or skipping a workout day won’t be the end of the world. When these occurrences are infrequent, you can truly enjoy them the way they should be.

Health and Nutrition Trends to Watch in 2019

Here are the predicted trends for 2019:

Probiotics

In 2019, a lot more people will find their probiotics from fermented food and drinks like yogurt, sauerkraut, and kombucha tea. Since high-fiber foods work as prebiotics encouraging probiotic growth, now there are even more reasons to eat fruits, veggies, whole grains, and legumes. Supplemental probiotics to support optimal gut health are also on the cutting edge this year with companies like the award winning Amare. They offer products that have been pretty life changing for people suffering with chronic physical and mental illnesses.

Plant Proteins

A variety of health professionals think that 2019 is the year of the plant protein. Health, ecological, and moral concerns will cause more and more people to eat fewer animal proteins and discover the benefits of plant-centered diets. We will see more plant-based choices like bean pastas and soy, tofu, or quinoa burgers available on the market. These can be good products. However, be wary of these products and read labels as they may be packed full of pesticides (especially if it contains GMO soy), preservatives and sugar.

Medicinal Mushrooms

Mushrooms are reported to have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular-protective, antidiabetic and anticancer properties. Due to their considerable health benefits, lots of people are adding medicinal mushrooms as a daily supplement in drinks. Mushroom hunting, a common practice in other parts of the world, is even gaining popularity throughout the U.S.

Coconut Milk

With more and more people being lactose intolerant or just attempting to avoid dairy, nondairy milks have been rising in popularity. Coconut milk has quickly become the top dairy alternative of choice with almond milk following closely after.

Bitter Foods

Bitter foods like asparagus, cucumbers, grapefruit, and cacao are going to be very popular in diets this year. Bitter foods contain sulfur and fat soluble vitamins (A, K, D, E). They help with digestion, cleanse your GI tract and love your liver. Stock your pantry with these great foods today.

Superfoods

Superfoods are packed with vitamins and nutrients that our bodies need to operate at a full capacity. They can optimize cell function, reduce signs of aging and promote an overall general healthy body. The best and trending superfoods you can find this year include berries, dark leafy greens, green tea, nuts, pomegranates, and garlic. There is no one food that is better than another. What our bodies need is variety!”

“Micro” Workouts

Research is mounting to support short high intensity workouts that can help with healthy weight loss and maintenance. These workouts can be as short as 10 minutes and highly effective when the correct exercises and motivation are combined. While getting in longer work outs has it’s benefits as well, this means there are no excuses on days when you are short on time. Something is better than nothing, and make sure that something counts!

Let’s make a lasting change one small step at a time.

Don’t be another number or statistic. You just read through a ton of simple steps to start changing your health for the better today. As with everything, the first step is to make the decision to start and stick with it. Health Means Wealth is here to support you every step of the way. Let’s use the plethora of health research out there to our advantage and tell chronic illnesses to go away.

Make 2019 a year of bettering yourself. No matter how sick or healthy we are, there is always room for improvement. Striving to be the best version of ourselves through healthy habits will make our life one full of meaning and growth. We all have goals and dreams in health and other realms of life. Don’t let poor health be a reason that you aren’t realizing your full potential.

Don’t let others miss out on their potential either. Share the gift of health with them today through awareness and education.

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