How’s your diet?
I was perusing the web and came across a Houston Chronicle blurb that had this one line that stood out:
“Physical activity is important,” Butte said, “but the way Americans are eating has to change.”
I don’t think that we truly appreciate the simplicity and, more importantly, the real urgency of that short little statement.
Now, the theme of the article was addressing obesity and the over consumption of calories. But, Americans, and also the populations of most “industrialized” countries, face other lifestyle challenges in addition to obesity.
Namely, High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, Heart Disease, and, Cancer. These lifestyle conditions contribute greatly to our out of control health care costs, high rates of mortality, lost days of work, and overall decrease in quality of life.
While obesity may contribute to and exacerbate the lifestyle conditions that I am talking about, it is not necessarily the cause of those problems. But, like obesity, these conditions are directly or indirectly influenced by what and how we eat.
In regard to physical rehabilitation and diet I ask my patients one question more frequently than any other. That question is this: “How much water are you drinking?”. When people are trying to rehab from an injury, its not important whether the happen to be a little overweight, or their caloric consumption outweighs their caloric expenditures. But, being well hydrated is crucial for tissue healing.
Our bodies are 70% water. And for our body tissues to operate properly we need to ensure that the water content is close to that 70%. Dehydration in fit and uninjured persons can cause increases in pain, headaches, blood pressure, and susceptibility of infections among other things. You can imagine how important being well hydrated is for those that are struggling with injury or disease.
The moral of the story? Well, just like the article implied; We as Americans need to change what and how we eat and drink in order to enjoy our lives more fully.
So, drink lots of water folks!!!