There is this misconception that only overweight and “older” people are in danger of a stroke. I never really cared for healthy foods. I chalked them up to being bland and unfavorable. I wanted a double cheeseburger with fried onions and extra sharp cheddar cheese please. When my blood results returned, however, it placed me at high risk for congestive heart failure and a serious plaque buildup: my cholesterol was 255 to be exact. I am 27 and 120 lbs. I do not have any outward signs of unhealthy living at all. Still, my diet was silently killing me. Diets full of high doses of saturated fats and oils leave you susceptible to diseases originally thought to attack people headed towards retirement — generally 65 plus. In a very sobering article, ABC News tackled 7 Diseases that Strike Younger Than You Think. The list includes:

  • Melanoma
  • Osteoporosis
  • Stroke
  • Type 2 Diabetes
  • Breast Cancer
  • Alzheimer’s
  • Gout

5 out of the 7 diseases listed are preventable by a healthy diet, regular exercise, and UV ray protection. Most fall prey, however, to the thought process that dominated my line of thinking for years: I’m in my 20s — my metabolism and youth are on my side. Please bring on the 5 cheese stuff crust pizza with beef, peppers, and onions.

Healthy living is a lifestyle change that requires your full commitment. I’ve tried a plethora of diets and have had many relapses into less than desirable eating habits. Until I mapped out my own plan towards sticking to healthy living that doesn’t restrict but redirects my affinity for greasy, fatty but tasty foods.

around the web

4 Comments

  1. Honest article. I’m 24 and this has now made me know why I voted for the first time 4 years ago #teamobama so that I can stay on my parents coverage. Hope everything works out for you 🙂

  2. I find the main point in this article extremely misleading. The claim that a high cholesterol number contributes to heart disease is not proven science, in fact the evidence for the truth of these theories was so weak as to be virtually nonexistent.

    Cholesterol is highly needed in the body for the organs to function properly. It is a fat-like substance that serves a number of useful functions. For instance, the liver needs it for its proper functioning. It also helps to maintain the cellular structures on the body and cholesterol is highly capable of transmitting the nerve impulses.

    “The American Heart Association recommends that your total cholesterol is less than 200 mg/dL, but what they do not tell you is that total cholesterol level is just about worthless in determining your risk for heart disease, unless it is above 330.” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mercola/the-cholesterol-myth-that_b_676817.html

    “During his cardiology training over thirty years ago, Dr. Ernest N. Curtis saw hundreds of patients with coronary heart disease and heart attacks. He was struck by the fact that most patients with fairly advanced atherosclerosis had such a wide variety of cholesterol levels.” http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/5/prweb8398286.htm

    Just search “link between cholesterol and heart disease” and you’ll find most articles refuting these claims and old studies with poor evidence.

    Not to diminish the need for a healthy diet, that includes natural, healthy and even saturated fats, not processed hydrogenated fats.

Leave a Reply to Fee Cancel reply