I have noticed recently that the media has bombarded us with innumerable featured articles praising research on the heart benefits of red wine (resveratrol), the memory loss benefits of coffee (caffeine), and the amazing benefits of a monumental number of natural supplements that singularly "guarantee" to reduce or prevent every known cause of mortality. In fact, if the studies and advertisements are a meter of human interests, our quest for longevity has taken a back seat to a desire for immortality.
Let me clarify, first of all, that I am a believer in taking supplements and take them, myself. Secondly, I should be candid by saying that I am one who appreciates a glass of red wine. So, the suggestion that it might truly be beneficial to my health, especially my heart, merely adds to my enjoyment. And, if something as simple as drinking coffee could demonstrably prevent the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, then I'd be tempted to give up my practice and open a Starbucks.
But, let's stop and ponder the wisdom of randomly adding an extra cuppa to your breakfast routine, drinking another glass of red wine with dinner, or plunking down a pile of cash on high-priced minerals and herbs that guarantee near-immortality.
For instance, let us consider the human condition. We are dynamic, biological beings, free to vigorously participate in life. We have not been restricted to a cage all our life, and we have not been bred to "unnaturally" incur the age-related afflictions that lab animals do, disease and debilitation that is then "eliminated" by resveratrol, caffeine, or some "amazing" supplement.
Basically, our being dynamic and biological is another way of saying that we, humans, are not " mechanistic automatons." In other words, we aren't all precisely alike. Because our central integrative states are not exactly the same, internal provocation factors and external irritation influences affect us in different ways. For example, though smoking cigarettes is commonly harmful to most people, there are a few individuals who can smoke cigarettes and still achieve longevity without any related ill effects.
Scientific studies isolate certain variables in order to achieve particular outcomes. That's scientific inquiry! But, because the results occur through such isolation, and due to the fact that they are generally done on animals, when it comes to translating such results to humans, it can be said that what may work for some of the people all of the time, won't work for all of the people all of the time, and sometimes won't work at all (to paraphrase Abraham Lincoln!).
Everyday you make considerable choices that affect both your health and longevity. Decisions such as what you'll eat and how much exercise and rest you'll get will either be good for you, or not so good. Obviously, your unhealthy choices are not beneficial for your long-term health. And, even though you know, by the way your individual body responds to certain things, you may often ignore these important health messages.
Then you, like many others, may enthusiastically jump on the bandwagon of the latest report that announces that researchers have uncovered THE VERY THING that has the potency to reverse all of the excessive and unhealthy things you have been doing to your body on a routine basis! Talk about wishful thinking!
The elegantly balanced system of your body (homeostasis) is highly responsive and intricate. This delicate system becomes "off balance" when you live an unhealthy lifestyle. Eventually, the imbalances nurtured through poor health choices, result in diseases.
If supplements help you to feel more energetic and healthy, then as a chiropractor who takes them as well, I say great, take them! If it feels like the thing to do, drink that additional cup of coffee as well. And, have a little more red wine if it honestly feels beneficial. But, keep in mind that the only legitimate way for anyone to avert or reverse age-related health problems is by choosing a consistently healthy lifestyle. You won't get healthier by chance. There is no "lucky charm" when it comes to health and longevity. - 27105
Let me clarify, first of all, that I am a believer in taking supplements and take them, myself. Secondly, I should be candid by saying that I am one who appreciates a glass of red wine. So, the suggestion that it might truly be beneficial to my health, especially my heart, merely adds to my enjoyment. And, if something as simple as drinking coffee could demonstrably prevent the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, then I'd be tempted to give up my practice and open a Starbucks.
But, let's stop and ponder the wisdom of randomly adding an extra cuppa to your breakfast routine, drinking another glass of red wine with dinner, or plunking down a pile of cash on high-priced minerals and herbs that guarantee near-immortality.
For instance, let us consider the human condition. We are dynamic, biological beings, free to vigorously participate in life. We have not been restricted to a cage all our life, and we have not been bred to "unnaturally" incur the age-related afflictions that lab animals do, disease and debilitation that is then "eliminated" by resveratrol, caffeine, or some "amazing" supplement.
Basically, our being dynamic and biological is another way of saying that we, humans, are not " mechanistic automatons." In other words, we aren't all precisely alike. Because our central integrative states are not exactly the same, internal provocation factors and external irritation influences affect us in different ways. For example, though smoking cigarettes is commonly harmful to most people, there are a few individuals who can smoke cigarettes and still achieve longevity without any related ill effects.
Scientific studies isolate certain variables in order to achieve particular outcomes. That's scientific inquiry! But, because the results occur through such isolation, and due to the fact that they are generally done on animals, when it comes to translating such results to humans, it can be said that what may work for some of the people all of the time, won't work for all of the people all of the time, and sometimes won't work at all (to paraphrase Abraham Lincoln!).
Everyday you make considerable choices that affect both your health and longevity. Decisions such as what you'll eat and how much exercise and rest you'll get will either be good for you, or not so good. Obviously, your unhealthy choices are not beneficial for your long-term health. And, even though you know, by the way your individual body responds to certain things, you may often ignore these important health messages.
Then you, like many others, may enthusiastically jump on the bandwagon of the latest report that announces that researchers have uncovered THE VERY THING that has the potency to reverse all of the excessive and unhealthy things you have been doing to your body on a routine basis! Talk about wishful thinking!
The elegantly balanced system of your body (homeostasis) is highly responsive and intricate. This delicate system becomes "off balance" when you live an unhealthy lifestyle. Eventually, the imbalances nurtured through poor health choices, result in diseases.
If supplements help you to feel more energetic and healthy, then as a chiropractor who takes them as well, I say great, take them! If it feels like the thing to do, drink that additional cup of coffee as well. And, have a little more red wine if it honestly feels beneficial. But, keep in mind that the only legitimate way for anyone to avert or reverse age-related health problems is by choosing a consistently healthy lifestyle. You won't get healthier by chance. There is no "lucky charm" when it comes to health and longevity. - 27105
About the Author:
Jamie Phillips, DC, a Ventura Chiropractor, has been in private chiropractic practice for 24 years. She is also a consultant for Bloczone Marketing, a chiropractic marketing company specializing in chiropractic websites that attract new patients. She can be reached at (805) 882-1956.
