Diet and exercise are pillars for healthy aging that many people overlook. Usually, patients will say they don’t feel like they have the time, willpower, or enough knowledge about healthy nutrition to embark on or follow through with health and fitness protocols. Speaking to your health care provider is critical before starting any new exercise or making dietary changes, and it’s essential to learning the best ways to optimally help you personally overcome and stave off many chronic illnesses and conditions.
Physical Activity and Exercise
Exercise is an integral part of daily life because it keeps our blood circulating, improves muscular definition, and prevents muscle atrophy. Exercise is good for our hearts, cardiovascular systems, and our brains.
Studies have shown that regular exercise prevents or reduces the severity of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, hypertension, obesity, depression and osteoporosis, and premature death.
Many studies are purporting the benefits of exercise to alleviate the onset or slow the progression of cognitive decline. Many researchers agree that just 30 minutes of aerobic exercise 4 to 5 times per week is known to improve cognition and can even reduce atrophy in the brain.
Nutritional Wellness
While both are critical for overall health, what we eat is equally or, in some cases, more important than exercise. Studies have indicated that those who eat lean proteins, vegetables, fruit, legumes, nuts, and seeds have healthier lives throughout the aging process. If individuals are eating healthy foods, avoiding processed meats and packaged foods, limiting sugars and unnecessary convenient foods, they are much healthier than their peers in most cases.
It only makes sense that what we put into our bodies helps it to function efficiently or hinders it’s cellular processing and renewal. Hippocrates was correct when he said, “Let food be thy medicine and let medicine be thy food.”
Those who consume the majority of their meals by eating whole, nutritious plants and lean proteins (animal or plant-based), they are, for the most part eliminating inflammation and reducing sugar spikes and therefore warding off chronic disease.
Are we saying you can never have a piece of cake or a slice of pizza? No. However, most experts agree that it’s best to limit junk food or processed foods to a minimum or enjoy them on special occasions. Once people start eating healthy, their taste and cravings usually change, and they begin to love whole, nutritious foods.
Reducing and Eliminating Stress
Easier said than done sometimes, limiting stress and anxiety is essential for your overall health. Untreated stress can lead to numerous chronic health conditions. It might be difficult, but carving out time to relax, take a bath, take a walk or simply shut yourself in a separate room for 10 minutes to do deep breathing exercises can reduce anxiety significantly, and over time, you will most likely notice that these personal care methods will help you to become calmer throughout the day.
To overcome stress, we need a well-rounded treatment protocol that incorporates medication (if necessary), stress management, nutrition, high-quality sleep, exercise, meditation, hormone balancing, and other therapies to help stabilize our body and brain.
Well-Being Medical Center of Naples
Preventative Care: Our office offers all standard routine health exams for all patients. If further testing is needed, we will create a comprehensive plan to help each patient reach their optimal health.
Health Consultations: Our staff is composed of health professionals who are experts in their field. We work with our patients through one-on-one consultations to prioritize health goals and address any health concerns.
Patient Satisfaction: Our top priority is patient satisfaction. We go the extra mile to create and execute on individualize treatment plans to make sure each patient understands their heath journey from start to finish.
Dr. Ricardo Martinez
Dr. Ricardo Martinez is an internist in Naples, FL and is affiliated with NCH Baker Hospital. He received his medical degree from Superior Institute of Medical Sciences of Santiago de Cuba and has been in practice 20 years. He also speaks multiple languages, including Spanish. He specializes in hospital medicine, ambulatory care and is experienced in hospice and palliative medicine, bariatric medicine, diabetes mellitus, food allergy, and infectious disease.
As of March 16th, 2020, Dr. Martinez has founded Well-Being Medical center in Naples Florida. He is looking forward to providing Medical care within primary care settings and urgent care service throughout the Naples Florida area.
Well-Being Medical Center of Naples
239-315-7801
www.well-beingmedicalcenter.org
851 5th Ave. N. Suite 102, Naples, FL 34102