* The Well Nourished Mom *

Nutritiacare 101

Are you concerned about the health care crisis in our country today? At a time when the cost of health care is draining our economy and our own personal wallets, consider these facts..........

Today, we are spending $2 trillion dollars in health care a year

Our costliest and deadliest illnesses - cancer, cardiovascular disease, lung disease, and diabetes - are preventable

Currently we are spending $113 billion on diabetes care - which is expected to double in the next 25 years

We are spending $475 billion on cardiovascular disease each year - heart disease and stroke

It costs us $154 billion a year to treat lung disease

We are spending $228 billion to treat cancer per yer

The medical cost of obesity alone is $147 billion per year - we are the fattest nation in the world, and obesity is a risk factor for each of these chronic illnesses


Now consider these facts

Researchers estimate that losing just 5-10% of your body weight can lower blood pressure, reduce LDL cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol), reduce the risk of diabetes, and heart disease

A 12-13 point reduction in systolic blood pressure would reduce stroke risk by 37%, heart disease risk by 23%, and death by heart disease by 25%

A 10% decrease in total blood cholesterol would lead to a 30% decrease in heart disease risk

Moderately active individuals have 20% fewer strokes than sedentary individuals

After 5 years of quitting smoking, ex smokers' risk of stroke is the same as a non-smoker

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So, common sense would say, " If these illnesses are preventable, lets prevent them!" Just imagine the impact on our economy (not to mention our own personal quality of life).

In a recent speech to the American Medical Association on health care reform, President Obama stated "Our federal government has to step up its efforts to advance the cause of healthy living..."

Great, but....really? And when? Programs designed to encourage healthy living, like smoking cessation, nutrition counseling, and alternative medicine practices, have existed for decades in both the private and public sectors. Federal, state, and local governments, manufacturers, non-profits, and individuals have been creating programs to help Americans change their lifestyles, but we are still slow to get on board. Why? Largely because seeking these services means additional out of pocket spending.

Perhaps Obamacare will adequately include preventive medicine, make it accessible to all, and effectively 'advance the cause of healthy living', but I'm doubtful. This would require that legislators create effective reform policy, and that it is passed in a timely manner.

Are you willing to wait? Can you afford the extra $1,440 a year (extra) in costs you personally will incur if you are obese? Can you afford the extra $3,000 in costs a year if you choose to smoke?

You have options. You can call your representatives. You can even call the White House. But if you want real reform that will impact your health and your wallet, and you want it now, I challenge you to create your own health care plan (insert your name here _______care). Here's how.......

Lose weight
Quit smoking
Eat your vegetables
Exercise
Stop eating fast food
Stay away from sugar
(etc, you get the point)

You have the power to prevent illness and stay healthy (and then you won't need health care). You have the power to change your life. Really, only you have that power. No government plan can fix what you won't change. Sure, it may be easier if someone else pays for that appointment with your personal trainer or nutritionist, but you may die waiting. If you want to make a difference in your own health care plan, start today by changing your habits.