The C.A.M. Report
Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Fair, Balanced, and to the Point
  • About this web log

    This blog ran from 2006 to 2016 and was intended as an objective and dispassionate source of information on the latest CAM research. Since my background is in pharmacy and allopathic medicine, I view all CAM as advancing through the development pipeline to eventually become integrated into mainstream medical practice. Some will succeed while others fail. But all are treated fairly here.

  • About the author

    John Russo, Jr., PharmD, is president of The MedCom Resource, Inc. Previously, he was senior vice president of medical communications at www.Vicus.com, a complementary and alternative medicine website.

  • Common sense considerations

    The material on this weblog is for informational purposes. It is not medical advice or counsel. Be smart, consult your health professional before using CAM.

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    Effect of low-risk lifestyle behaviors on the risk of dying

    Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention examined the relationship between 4 low-risk behaviors and mortality among a group of people in the United States.

    First, the details.

    • Data came from 16,958 participants aged 17 years and older in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III Mortality Study from 1988 to 2006.

    And, the results.

    • 40% to 50% of the participants already practiced at least 1 of the 4 healthy behaviors.
      • Avoid Tobacco
      • Limit Alcohol: not more than 2 drinks a day, women no more than 1 drink
      • Diet: eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, switch to fat-free and low-fat dairy and seafood. Cut down on salt and foods high in sodium, saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, added sugar, and refined grains
      • Exercise: at least 5 days a week or at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise such as brisk walking, or at least 3 days a week do a 75 minutes of vigorous exercise such as jogging or race walking (raises heart rate more than brisk walking).
    • Compared with participants who had no low-risk behaviors, those who practiced all 4 were…
      • 66% less likely to die early from cancer
      • 65% less likely to die early from a major cardiovascular disease
      • 57% less likely to die early from other causes

    The bottom line?

    The authors concluded, “Low-risk lifestyle factors exert a powerful and beneficial effect on mortality.”

    8/22/11 22:46 JR

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