Dr. Walt Larimore

Walt Larimore, M.D. has been called “one of America’s best known family physicians.” He is a nationally-known and nationally sought after speaker and health expert. read bio

How to Change These Four Bad Habits

A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine suggested that four bad habits can lower your life expectancy 12 years and lead to premature death:

• drinking alcohol
• using tobacco products
• not eating enough fruits and vegetables
• not getting enough physical activity

9 Foods to Avoid

In a blog earlier this year, The Formula for Good Health = 0, 5, 10, 30, 150, I discussed an easy-to-remember formula for good health (0, 5, 10, 30, 150) which is designed to help you achieve highly healthy lifestyle goals:

• 0 = no cigarettes or tobacco products
• 5 = five servings of fruits and vegetables per day
• 10 = ten minutes of silence, relaxation, prayer, or meditation per day
• 30 = keep your BMI (body mass index) below 30
• 150 = number of minutes of exercise per week (e.g., brisk walking or equivalent)

The Formula for Good Health = 0, 5, 10, 30, 150

The most common causes of death, according to the study, included heart disease and cancer, both of which were related to unhealthy lifestyles.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 72 million adults in the United States were obese in 2007-2008. And based on results from the 2007-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, nearly 17 percent of children and adolescents, from ages 2 to 19, are obese.

But this isn’t the only cause for concern. The 2008 National Health Interview Survey and the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health reveal that about 46 million adults in the United States smoke, with 6,600 new smokers starting each day.

In addition, the 2010 Annual Status Report from the National Prevention Health Promotion and Public Health Council points to excessive alcohol use as one of the leading causes of death in the United States. There are an estimated 79,000 alcohol-related deaths each year.

Taken with permission from DrWalt.com.

Medical information within this site is not intended for use in the diagnosis or treatment of any health condition. Please consult a licensed health care professional for the treatment or diagnosis of any medical condition.