Lloyd Sederer MD
I do too. But if you think these come from money and fame, think again.
Greater health and longevity and less disease require that we can renew our body’s cells or that they have the capacity to be born again (Neurogenesis).
But standing in the way of cell renewal and regeneration are: ongoing stress, past & present trauma, eating too much junk food, unchecked drinking and drugs, not enough sleep, and loneliness.
These are among the causes of chronic inflammation, which lays down nasty, fatty deposits (plaques) in our cardiac and cerebral arteries; eats away at pancreatic Beta cells (needed to prevent becoming an adult diabetic); and can promote dementia and depression.
Chronic inflammation also produces a steady flow of cortisol, the stress hormone, that gets in the way of our immune “Natural Killer” & “T‐cells” doing their job, namely, protecting us from everything from colds to cancer.
Let’s have full - not only long lives.
Both can be had by changing our unhealthy behaviors. There is no need to buy nutrients or enroll in a gym.
Behavior change, especially lasting change, is more like turning up a dimmer than flipping an on-off switch. But change does come…
There are 4 not so secret ways ways we can improve our health and mental health. Take a read. They are:
1. recognize that our (however seemingly harmful) behaviors serve a purpose, the best found so far
2.appreciate that the need for human “attachment” (relationships) trumps even our drives to eat and have sex
3. that more of what seems like a good thing has been over-rated; instead, as a rule, less is more
4. chronic inflammation is the enemy
L’chaim! (to health!)
Lloyd Sederer, MD, is an adjunct professor, Columbia/Mailman School of Public Health, former NYC Commissioner of Mental Health, and Former Chief Medical Officer of the NYS Office of Mental Health. www.askdrlloyd.com
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