JimHawkins wrote:
I have to wonder if this generation will be the first to live shorter lives than the last and what environmental factors may be contributing...
Not environmental, Jim, but behavioral. Metabolic syndrome is a growing problem in this country. It is the end result of affluence combined with a population that eats for taste and convenience over health.
The constellation of conditions that encompass metabolic syndrome include obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol, and type II diabetes (insulin resistant diabetes). Cancer often follows because of the types of foods people eat (lots of animal fats) or don't eat (fresh fruits and vegetables).
This is an easy syndrome to fight if people take the time to prepare their own food, make wise food choices, and control portion size. However most would rather run up the health care bill of our country by treating the symptoms with modern pharmacology and - when necessary - surgery.
Oh, and exercise helps as well.
Women have good and bad news ahead. The Gardasil vaccine will dramatically decrease the risk of cervical cancer. However early menarche due to a high caloric diet will increase the risk of breast cancer. The more years a woman is in menarche, the higher her risk for this disease.
- Bill
