One: buy a scale.
Obesity is a huge killer and it sets the stage for Type 2 diabetes, heart attack and hypertension.
Be a smart consumer. Step on the scale each day so there are no surprises about weight gain. Count calories to live healthier and longer.
Two: Buy a pedometer to count steps
Ships tied up at a dock too long get barnacles. To avoid medical barnacles, walk 10,000 steps a day. There鈥檚 no need to run the four-minute mile. Remember, lions don鈥檛 buy Nike running shoes. Besides, studies show excessive exercise can cause medical problems.
Three : Avoid Needless Radiation
A single CT scan delivers the same radiation as 500 chest X-rays or 1,000 dental ones. Always ask if an ultrasound or an MRI can obtain the same medical information without the risk of radiation. Like the elephant鈥檚 memory, the body never forgets the amount of radiation it receives in a lifetime.
Four: Avoid 鈥淧illitis鈥� like the plague
Every day, North Americans are programmed for sickness by pharmaceutical companies. We鈥檝e become the most over-medicated society in history and not the healthiest. Look around you. Every year in North America, 100,000 people die from prescription drugs. More thousands die from over-the-counter medications, many of which are not needed. Too many people swallow minor painkillers and other drugs as if they were M&Ms. They鈥檙e headed for kidney and liver problems without knowing it.
Five: Look after your heart with vitamin C
I believe I鈥檝e reached my 94th year by taking high doses of vitamin C (4,000 to 6,000 milligrams daily). I believe the science behind vitamin C makes more sense than that of cholesterol-lowering drugs (CLDs).
Dr. Linus Pauling stressed that a lack of vitamin C caused microscopic cracks in coronary arteries which can trigger a fatal blood clot. Vitamin C and the addition of lysine, a natural amino acid, also help to reverse hardening of arteries that kills many people.
(But remember, it鈥檚 not the intention of this journalist to make you toss away CLDs, as many doctors disagree about the benefits of big C.)
Finally, I take an enteric coated 81 milligram Aspirin daily, along with natural vitamin E to decrease formation of a blood clot. But since Aspirin increases the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, always discuss this matter with your doctor.
Six: There鈥檚 no such thing as minor surgery
Every operation poses a possible complication, including death. So if it鈥檚 not broke, don鈥檛 fix it.
If it鈥檚 partly broke, think twice before fixing it.
Often it鈥檚 better to live with the devil you know than the one you don鈥檛 know. Large gallstones that are detected by ultrasound during a checkup and are not causing trouble are often best left to the crematorium.
Many hernias do not require surgery.
And if your surgeon has the personality of Dracula, ignore that. Remember, his hands, not his bedside manner, are performing the operation.
Seven: Buy a dog if you need a friend
If you are depressed and lonely, a dog will give you unconditional love, never betray you and always be there when you need company.
Eight: Alcohol in moderation
Sir William Osler was right when he said: 鈥淎lcohol is for the elderly what milk is for the young.鈥� Alcohol increases good cholesterol and oils tiny platelets so they鈥檙e less likely to clot and cause coronary death.
But remember, alcohol in moderation only!
Nine: Improve your diet
Eat more fish, fruits, vegetables and add more fibre.
Ten: (I stole this one!)
鈥淒o unto others as you would have them do unto you.鈥�
Follow this advice and you鈥檒l have a peaceful mind and live longer.
听
