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Archived
21st Century Healthcare and Aging
What was the greatest gift to healthcare in the 20th Century? Nobel laureate Gary Becker suggests it is the
extending of the human lifespan - anti-aging - and he has a point.
GO BACK 100 YEARS
In 1900, the expected lifespan in the western world was
45 years. In 2000 it has extended by two thirds - to 75 years. Aging has 'come of age', so to speak.
In 1900, birth was a very dangerous business; one in every ten babies - and about the same number of mothers - died
during, or soon after, childbirth. Today, the comparable figures for the West are near zero.
In those distant days 100 years ago, death was mainly caused by matters beyond our control. If you survived the
risks of childbirth, fatal infections were common. Until the discovery of Penicillin in the late 1920's, there was
little protection against diphtheria, polio, syphilis and tuberculosis. Even influenza was frequently a
killer.
Life expectation was still increasing slowly for many people.
The Industrial Revolution meant that by 1900, most people lived in towns. Any connections with country knowledge -
such as the herbal tradition - had largely been lost.
TODAY - DEATH IS HABIT RELATED
In the 21st century, however, the causes of death are mainly related to our habits and behaviours.
So aging is directly affected by our habits.
Examples are:
* Over-consumption of fats and non-nutritious (junk) food,
* Insufficient exercise,
* Overdoses of recreational drugs,
* Suicide,
* Drunk driving, and
* AIDS.
CHEER UP!
The fact that most people contribute to their own early death through their bad habits could be a bit depressing
.... but hold on - turn it around, and you can say:
LONG, HEALTHY, LIFE IS WITHIN YOUR CONSCIOUS CONTROL!
YES - a long, healthy life
really is YOURS for the choosing - by changing your habits! You can affect your own aging.
Of course, there is the odd person who is going to fall under a bus! But for the majority, you really can choose to
live a long and healthy life -
IF ...
You are Willing to Change Your Habits!
You can do this progressively, and gradually over a period of years.
YOU ALREADY KNOW IT MAKES SENSE
If you are reading this ezine, you are already interested in natural healthcare to a greater or lesser degree.
So, I am going to appeal to those of you who KNOW it makes sense to change your habits - but are having some
trouble!
Here are three important points which may help you to change from unhealthy habits, to healthy habits.
[Next: First important point for good
health...]
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