Avoid swine flu by losing weight?

July 12, 7:22 PMSF Mind and Body ExaminerAna Poirier

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This may not seem like the most likely of causes, but being overweight may increase your risk of contracting and having more serious complications from the swine flu. Recent data regarding the demographics of people ending up in the hospital and dying from the swine flu points to being overweight or obese as a significant factor.

One news article stated:

“A high proportion of those who have gotten severely ill from swine flu have been obese or extremely obese, but health officials have said that might be due to the fact that heavy people tend to have asthma and other conditions that make them more susceptible.”
- Earthlink News
 

Health officials reported on ten cases of swine flu in Michigan that ended up in the hospital. Of these ten, nine were obese or extremely obese, with only three having other pre-existing health issues.

This is just another wake up to the fact that obesity is a serious health problem. It can compromise the cardiovascular system, the digestive system, respiratory system, immune system and shorten life span.
 

It is so vital that we as a nation begin to address this growing health crisis. Nutrition and exercise education along with less dependence on medication are a wonderful place to start. If people can be taught and shown how to exercise and eat well, huge strides can be made in the obesity epidemic.
Over use of medications is not helping the problem as many drugs can cause weight gain. This can spiral into more medications, poor self-esteem and generally not taking one’s health into one’s own hands.
 

There is no magic pill. Diet and lifestyle are essentially the golden keys to a healthy, happy and successful life.

There are many suggestions that can get someone on the road to a healthy weight, but here are ten simple tips to get going naturally.

1) Drink more pure, filtered water
2) Eat more fresh vegetables
3) Buy a pedometer and aim for at least 10,000 steps per day
4) Choose whole, unprocessed foods
5) Try a smoothie instead of a soda
6) Try yoga
7) Eat a healthy breakfast
8) Consider a supervised cleanse
9) Eat raw nuts as a snack instead of chips
10) Try eating as much organic as possible

It can be so important to get the supervision and support of a qualified health professional to help stay on track, stay motivated and stay safe.

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