A lifestyle disease is a chronic, non-communicable disease that is caused by a person’s lifestyle choices, habits, and behaviors such as an unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, poor sleep patterns, smoking, alcohol use, and drug use. It’s believed that lifestyle is 70% responsible for health and genetics 30%.
Lifestyle diseases can include heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and some types of cancer.
Epigenetics is the study of how behaviors and the environment can change how genes work. Lifestyle factors like diet, sleep, exercise, smoking, and drinking alcohol can affect the chemical groups that bind to DNA. Genes can increase the risk of certain health conditions within a family. And families share habits, diet, and environment which can influence how healthy people are later in life.
Although genetics and environmental factors can contribute to the likelihood of suffering from a lifestyle disease, there are many triggers that are within our control. Making smart lifestyle choices can positively influence our health. Make the decision to be more physically active. Maintain a high-fiber, low-fat diet, and commit to eating more fruits and vegetables. Eliminate processed foods from your diet. Establish a good sleeping routine that ensures you are getting at least 7-8 hours a night. If you smoke, quit! And limit alcohol consumption. Healthy lifestyle modifications can keep you and your family on a path to good health.
photo credit: Krakenimages.com / bigstockphoto.com
