subject: Is Health A Numbers Game? [print this page] There are 6 signs you need more sleepThere are 6 signs you need more sleep. One, you persistently feel you're not hungry or you constantly want to eat more. Two, it's difficult to focus on what you're doing. Three, your short-term memory is impaired. Four, you can't carry on a conversation. Five, you struggle to stay awake when driving or doing something else that is dangerous. Six, you feel sick because your immune system isn't strengthening during sleep. Because sleep deprivation can lead to problems like high blood pressure, obesity and depression, sleep is as vital for survival as food. Lack of sleep will "eat you up".
There is 1 type of food that has been linked to depression - fast food. A study published in the journal Public Health Nutrition looked at approximately 9,000 people for about 6 years. At the beginning of the study none of the participants were diagnosed with depression. At the end of the study almost 500 had depression. Those who ate the most hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, fries and also baked goods were 51% likelier to develop clinical depression than those who ate the least. When it comes to fast food, the solution is in its name. We should fast.
There are 5 health problems linked to height. Taller women have an increased risk of 10 cancers including breast, ovarian and skin cancer. Taller men have an increased risk of prostate cancer. Type 1 diabetes - also known as juvenile diabetes - is linked to taller children except during infancy and early adolescence. Shorter people have a 50% greater risk of fatal heart disease. They also have a greater risk of serious stroke. Alzheimer's has been linked to age and genetics, but it's also linked to shorter people. Although there aren't specific explanations for these links, there's a "heightened awareness".
Finally, according to the American Cancer Society, 2 things we consume don't increase cancer risk - coffee and artificial sweeteners in the amount people typically consume. However, 5 things we consume require caution. More than 1 alcoholic drink daily for women and 2 for men increase cancer risk. So do sugary foods and beverages. Red and processed meats increase the risk of cancer too - especially colon cancer. In fact, meat, poultry and fish should be baked, broiled or poached - not fried or charbroiled. Nevertheless, for non-smokers the biggest risk for cancer is being overweight. The numbers on the scale are the most important numbers.
