By Jennifer Beach, LSW, MA, C-SWCM
All of us are likely aware or have heard, read and/or see the increasing number of people who suffer from complex, chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, dementia, and autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis. The number of individuals with comorbidities (when a person has more than one disease or condition at the same time) is increasing. According to the NIH (National Institute of Health 2023) 33.1% of the US population has more than one chronic disease. Even with the advancements in health care, the proportion of individuals who do not die of acute illnesses, such as infections and disease, is increasing.
Consequently, they are more likely to suffer from a chronic illness and are subsequently more likely to develop additional chronic illnesses. Research indicates the most common comorbidities are hypertension (high blood pressure) hypercholesterolemia/hyperlipidemia (above normal cholesterol in the blood/high lipid levels), cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, benign prostate hyperplasia, (enlarged prostate gland) depression, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and osteoporosis.
We also are discovering how much our diets and nutrition play a role in these chronic diseases or conditions; a topic many of us do not really want to talk about. We like what we eat and have been eating for most of our lives. We enjoy the convenience of ready-to-eat food we just need to pop in the microwave, or the individually packaged pre-made wrapped foods we can take on the go. The ease and taste of fast food or carryout can make our lives much simpler in our ever-busy schedules.
Much of the research today is diving deeper into our diet and the role it plays on the growing numbers of chronic illnesses/conditions. Currently, there is an ongoing debate on how sugar affects our health, since sugar is in the majority of the foods we consume. According to the NIH, excessive sugar consumption has been implicated in obesity, metabolic disorders, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, depression, and cognitive impairment.
There is also increased interest in and discussion about the effects and types of chemicals used in many foods. The realization that the ingredients in our foods may be contributing to the growing number of chronic conditions and causing or exacerbating symptoms is something we all need to be aware of and talk about. Most of the medical community has not been trained in nutrition and/or the role our diets play in the many growing chronic conditions so many of us are coping with.
I attend medical appointments with clients regularly and, most of the time, diet is not even a part of the discussion. Education on the role food plays in our bodies is so important as we work to age well and improve our day-to-day quality of life. Studies have found sugars can exacerbate inflammation, causing increased pain in our joint’s and other parts of the body. Compounds found in certain foods can trigger the body to produce chemicals that cause inflammation as well as other health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity and more.
Making changes, as we all know, can be extremely difficult, and many of us know we should eat better, not necessarily to feel better, rather we all tend to think about the couple (or more) pounds we would like to lose. Understanding that what we eat directly affects how our systems work is the bigger goal. This is a different way of thinking about what we eat. What if eating different foods could reduce swelling, pain, improve bowel issues, slow cancer, or cognitive changes? Would you or your loved one be more likely to think about what you are putting in your body? If we are willing to try a medication to ease our symptoms knowing there may be potential side effects, would we be willing to eliminate certain foods that may be causing or adding to our symptoms? I’m not suggesting anything is wrong with medications, we know they are absolutely helpful and are required and needed for many reasons.
I’m suggesting we look a little deeper at all the ways we can age well. Understanding the small choices we make day to day can directly affect how we feel and potentially, over time, reduce the comorbidities so many of us are challenged with.
View Original Article: https://www.northeastohioboomer.com/blogs/how-food-affects-chronic-conditions/
Resource for more information: hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/disease-prevention/41