[custom_adv] Early death for people is most commonly due to illnesses caused by smoking, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, alcohol misuse, obesity and physical inactivity. Lifestyle changes can prevent many diseases. [custom_adv] A risk factor is something that makes it more likely that you will develop a particular disease or medical condition. Some risk factors, such as age, gender and family history, are beyond your control. However, many lifestyle-related risk factors are very much in your control. You can dramatically reduce your risk of illness and early death by making a few simple lifestyle changes. Some risk factors that most people can control and change include weight, blood pressure and cholesterol level. [custom_adv] Always consult with your doctor before you change your diet or fitness program, particularly if you are over 40 years old, have a pre-existing medical condition or haven’t exercised in a long time. Tobacco smoking is a significant risk factor for various cancers (such as lung cancer), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cardiovascular disease. [custom_adv] High blood pressure (hypertension) can cause ischaemic heart disease (blocked arteries in the heart), stroke, hypertensive heart disease, peripheral vascular disease and renal (kidney) failure. [custom_adv] Cholesterol is a fat-like substance found in the bloodstream. Factors such as heredity, a diet high in saturated fat and various conditions such as type 2 diabetes influence a person’s cholesterol level. High blood cholesterol may worsen atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries) and influence the development of heart disease and stroke. [custom_adv] In 2009, almost half of adult Victorians were categorised as overweight or obese. Excessive body fat carries a higher risk of ill health including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, colon cancer, gall bladder disease and osteoporosis. Being overweight is also linked to high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol. [custom_adv] Excessive long-term drinking increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, pharynx, oesophagus and liver. Smoking and excessive alcohol makes things even worse. Tobacco smoking amplifies the cancer-causing effects of alcohol on the upper digestive tract and respiratory tract. Alcohol is also linked to violence and an increased risk of accidental injury. [custom_adv] Researchers began their review of 14 studies, involving more than 200,000 people, in hopes of determining whether running can stave off deaths from heart disease, cancer, and other causes. They also sought to find out how much running people need to do to benefit. The studies tracked participants for periods ranging from five-and-a-half to 35 years. [custom_adv] Over the course of these studies, 25,951 of the participants died. When comparing those people to those who lived until the end of the study, the researchers found that people who ran, no matter the amount, were 27% less likely than nonrunners to die from any cause during the study period. Runners also had a 30% lower death rate from cardiovascular disease and a 23% lower death rate from cancer. [custom_adv] While running was linked with longer life and less disease in these studies, this doesn't necessarily prove that it was the running that actually caused better health. But the results suggest that lacing up those sneakers and going for a quick jog might improve your health. [custom_adv] People who run — even in small amounts — are less likely to die during a given period compared with those who don't run, according to an analysis published online Nov. 4, 2019, by the British Journal of Sports Medicine. The benefit appears even among people who run for less than 50 minutes once a week, at speeds below 6 mph.
