Echoing the ancient oriental wisdom of “treating the disease before it occurs,” the contemporary Western saying “treating your body like a car” also advocates health maintenance via preventing disease before it occurs. IWLA strives to enhance disease prevention in the public by raising awareness of major detriments to health and longevity: namely harmful food, unhealthy lifestyles, and environmental risks.
1. Harmful Foods
· Ultra-processed foods: Food additives and trans fats
To increase taste, appeal, convenience, shelf life and merchant profits, ultra-processed foods contain a variety of chemical additives (such as preservatives, sweeteners, artificial flavors, leavening agents) and trans fats that are harmful to the human body. Ultra-processed foods include soft drinks, chips, cookies, snacks, cakes, instant noodles, breakfast cereals, microwave foods, etc.
Many studies have found that the more ultra-processed foods you consume, the higher your risk of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. For example, for every 10% increase in ultra-processed food intake, the risk of developing cancer increases by 2%, and the risk of being diagnosed with ovarian cancer increases by 19%; eating an extra serving of ultra-processed food (about 28 grams of potato chips) per day, the risk of sudden death, emergency congestion and stroke will increase by 7%, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular death will increase by 9%.
IWLA recommends that everyone strive to avoid ultra-processed foods, try to eat natural foods, and replace ultra-processed snacks with nuts and yogurt ect. in their original flavor.
· Foods high in sugar: Sweet “drugs”
The foods that are high in added sugar include sweetened beverages (carbonated drinks, fruit juices, milk tea, and sports drinks, etc.), frozen desserts (ice cream, cones, ice cream, etc.), flavored yogurt, and a variety of pastries and snacks.
Studies have shown that a diet high in sugar increases the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, fatty liver disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease and obesity. For example, individuals with high-sugary diet are 4-5 times more likely to develop cancer than ordinary people. According to the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition", for those who consume two cups of sweetened beverages a day, their risk of pancreatic cancer will be 90% higher than those who don't drink.
The IWLA reminds us that sugar is as addictive as drugs. Multiple animal experiments have shown that sugar is even more addictive than cocaine. The food industry systemically and strategically adds high sugar to keep us craving for its products. We strongly recommend reduction of high sugar food, trying to replace sweetened drinks with water and use natural fruits to satisfy sugar cravings.
· High-temperature oils: carcinogenic chemicals and trans-fats
Foods that are burnt or fried in high temperature oil will release highly carcinogenic gases such as benzopyrene and nitrosamines, which can induce cancers in the lungs, colorectum, and bladder. When cooking meat at a high temperature, carcinogen chemicals can form, such as HAs and PAHs, which can deposit to the meat as smoke rises. Studies have linked the consumption of grilled meat to an increased risk for colon, prostate, pancreatic, stomach and breast cancer.
The trans-fats produced by deep frying can increase blood viscosity, promote arteriosclerosis, and increase the risk of breast cancer. The amount of trans fat in oil increases with the number of times the oil is reheated oil. To maximize shelf time, a large amount of trans-fats is commonly added to ultra-processed foods.
IWLA recommends that for the sake of health, try to eat as little fried and barbecued food as possible.
· High salt (sodium)
High-salt foods include pickled foods, ham sausages, grilled fish fillets, beef jerky, preserved fruits, salted dried peanuts and many snacks. Condiments such as soy sauce, miso, MSG, chicken essence, and soda added to dishes also contain a large amount of sodium. A long-term diet high in salt (sodium) will increase the risk of high blood pressure, making people more susceptible to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases such as stroke and coronary heart disease. IWLA encourages people to develop a light diet.
2. Unhealthy lifestyles
· Risky diet: Frequent consumption of ultra-processed, high-sugar, high-temperature oil, or high-salt foods greatly increases risk of cancer and many other serious diseases
· Lack of exercise: Long-term lack of exercise can lead to muscle atrophy, cardiovascular disease and other problems.
· Sleep deprivation: Chronic sleep deprivation increases the risk of diseases such as diabetes and depression.
· Smoking: Smoking increases the risk of lung cancer, heart disease, and other diseases. It is recommended to quit smoking or avoid secondhand smoke.
· Alcohol: Excessive alcohol consumption increases the risk of liver disease, heart disease, and other diseases.
· Overuse of medication: Overuse of medications can cause damage to organs such as the liver and kidneys. The solution is to use medications as prescribed and avoid drug abuse.
· Long-term neglect of physical examination: Small symptoms of some diseases may turn into serious illnesses if ignored for a long time.
· Neglecting oral health: Neglecting oral health can lead to systemic health problems. The solution is to have regular dental checkups and keep your mouth clean.
· Lack of personal hygiene: A long-term lack of good hygiene increases the risk of infectious diseases, intestinal diseases and other problems. It is recommended to maintain good personal hygiene habits, such as washing hands frequently and cleaning the environment regularly.
3. Adverse environmental factors
· Air pollution: air pollution can lead to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases and other problems. Recommended solution is to increase personal protective measures accordingly.
· Water pollution: Drinking contaminated water can have serious health consequences. Choosing applicable water purification methods is a practical solution for an individual or family.
· Lack of sunlight: Long-term lack of sunlight can lead to vitamin D deficiency and increase the risk of diseases such as osteoporosis. It is recommended to carry out moderate outdoor activities and consume supplement vitamin D3.
· Ultraviolet rays: Long-term exposure to ultraviolet rays increases the risk of skin cancer, skin aging and other problems. It is recommended to avoid prolonged exposure to strong UV rays and to use sun protection.
· Radiation: Very high doses of radiation cause damage to human cells, causing loss of hair and increased incidence of cancer. We recommend avoid high radiation exposure and to use electronic products in moderation and take breaks.
To conclude, the IWLA reminds you that your body is the single “vehicle” you ever own and drive to pursue the dreams and destiny of your life. To optimize the function and maximize the life span of a car, its owner must gas it with proper oil, keep up the maintenance, and address problems quickly. Each one of us is obliged to treat your body better than a car. Only then, we could best fulfil our destiny by optimizing the wellness and maximizing the life span designed by our Creator.