Don’t ignore mood disturbance or negative changes in mental health. Seek treatment from a skilled practitioner to get on the road to feeling better.
Switching to a diet centered on plant-based foods, and adopting an active lifestyle can boost your overall health and well-being for years to come. Plant-based foods contain the vital nutrients your body needs in balanced amounts and when paired with exercise, you can make significant strides at improving your health and wellness.
Corey Howard, MD,FACP, FMNM, FAARFM is a board-certified internal medicine physician devoted to helping men and women live vibrant lives. From bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, to chronic disease management and prevention, Dr. Howard is your number one resource in Naples, Florida for staying strong and healthy.
When you adopt plant-based eating habits, you build your diet around minimally processed foods primarily from plants, including vegetables, fruit, whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, and oils.
Following a plant-based diet offers a host of health benefits. The following are just some of the ways plant-based eating boosts overall health.
Plants contain vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and unique phytochemicals that help keep your cells healthy and your body in balance, allowing your immune system to perform at its best.
Plants give your body what it needs to fight infection and keep would-be invaders out. A plant-based diet helps your immune system stay strong so that you are resistant to viruses, bacteria, and other microbes.
The same phytochemicals and antioxidants that boost your immune system also neutralize free radicals, reduce inflammation and help the body stay healthy. Chronic inflammation is an underlying factor in chronic disease and premature aging.
Plant foods are naturally low in calories, fat, and sugar, and high in nutrients. Eating a diet rich in plant foods promotes weight balance and helps you avoid taking in excess macronutrients that most Americans consume too liberally.
Fiber is abundant in plants. All unprocessed plant foods contain fiber. It is the structural component of the plant and eating more of it provides a variety of benefits.
Eating a plant-based diet improves gut health, making it easier to absorb nutrients. Fiber can help lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels, as well as improve bowel health.
A diet rich in fiber can help lower your cancer risk. This is especially true if you're at risk for colorectal cancer.
A plant-based diet lowers your risk of developing chronic diseases, including diabetes and heart disease. Using healthy cooking methods and understanding how to maximize the nutritional value of your vegetables can help you reap the full benefits of a plant-based diet.
Why adopt an active lifestyle?
If you want to lose weight and keep it off, you already know that exercise is an important part of your daily routine. However, the benefits of physical activity extend far beyond physical fitness. Working out on a regular basis improves other aspects of your health.
As little as 15 minutes of high-intensity activity or 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each day offers immense health benefits.
A regular fitness routine has been shown to have a variety of positive health effects, including staving off chronic disease and keeping your muscles, heart, brain, and bones strong and healthy.
Exercise is linked to improved mental and emotional health. Regular physical activity lowers stress hormones and boosts feel-good chemicals like serotonin, which is also known as the happy hormone.
Exercise helps to keep your brain healthy as we age. Getting plenty of exercise boosts memory and mental sharpness and protects against cognitive decline.
Various types of exercise can help prevent osteoporosis, bone loss and fracture risk. Aerobic exercise, resistance training, and even exercises that improve balance and agility are all beneficial for keeping your bones strong.
Regular physical activity is associated with better sleep. Poor sleep is linked to a higher risk of various health issues, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and depression.
There’s no better time to take charge of your health than now. Our team can help you reach your nutrition and fitness goals so that you can reach and maintain optimal wellness. Give us a call to schedule an appointment with Dr. Howard. We look forward to discussing how we can assist you in leading your healthiest life!
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