Health-and-Fitness online information.

BECAUSE moderation is the universal key to achieving health and fitness, cutting back on the excessive consumption of tobacco products, alcohol and foods high in fat can help us avoid many of the serious illnesses common among African Americans.

Tobacco products, especially cigarettes, are the leading cause of lung cancer. Because they are addictive, it is almost impossible to smoke cigarettes in moderation, and most who try become heavy smokers. The best way to "moderate" tobacco use is avoiding it altogether. Fortunately, no matter how long you've smoked, quitting now immediately improves your health and reduces your risk for heart and lung diseases.

There are few health risks associated with moderate alcohol use, but excessive drinking--liquor, wine or beer--will disrupt an otherwise healthy lifestyle. Alcohol addiction often means liver disease, infertility, birth defects, domestic violence, unemployment, drunken driving and abuse of other drugs.

For many of us, the most difficult "excess" to control are foods high in fat and calories. Because a balanced diet is essential to health and fitness, African Americans must moderate our intake of soul food, fried foods, sweets and other foods that promote obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease.

It can become problematic eating honey-baked ham or chitterlings every Sunday. Instead, try fruits, vegetables, boiled, broiled, and baked meats, preferably chicken or fish. It is possible to plan and enjoy a long and healthy life--filled with pleasures not packaged in bottles, cans, cups or cartons--by replacing the excesses of tobacco, alcohol, and food with moderation.

# posted by Medical Information : 3:45 AM