Eating can be one of life’s intrinsic pleasures, but if we don’t watch what we put into our mouths, we can really hurt ourselves in the long run. An unhealthy diet can lead to a buildup of fats and toxins in our tissues and organs. After some time, our body can no longer support these unwelcome guests and will begin to break down. In the information below, we explore four of the long-term effects of unhealthy eating.
Cardiovascular Disease
Diet plays a very important role in heart health. The foods we eat can either protect the heart or lead to its demise.
Dr. Fuhrman explains that a diet high in saturated fats from animal sources and trans-fats from hardened vegetable oils can lead to a buildup of unhealthy cholesterol in our bodies. This cholesterol eventually begins blocking and hardening our veins and arteries.
Too much salt in a diet leads to an increase in blood pressure. When combined with blockages in the arteries, high pressure in the circulatory system greatly increases the risk for heart attack or stroke.
Hormone Imbalances
Hormones are essential to most of our bodily functions. Problems can occur when there’s more or less than the correct amount of a necessary hormone in our blood. Even mild hormone imbalances can cause noticeable health problems such as unexplained weight fluctuations, insomnia, mood disorders and more. Hormone imbalances can affect appearance as well, leading to rashes and acne breakouts.
ASEA suggests that to combat hormone imbalances, people need to look into their diet, the amount of stress they’re under and their environment, as these are all factors that change how the body self-regulates. A diet that includes too many processed carbohydrates, sugars and fast food can increase the risk of imbalances occurring. These foods can boost insulin production, increase cortisol secretions and even cause excess estrogen production and storage.
It’s never too late to turn back the clock. Switching to a balanced diet rich in healthy proteins, whole grains, fruits and vegetables can balance out the body’s hormone levels, reversing many of these negative effects.
Diabetes
Virtual Health describes how a diet high in fat, cholesterol, and calories can increase the risk for diabetes, a disease in which the body doesn’t process sugars properly. Although there is a large genetic component, obesity and a poor diet are strongly correlated to developing this disease. On the other hand, a healthy and natural diet can help prevent diabetes even in individuals with a genetic predisposition.
Tooth Decay
If you don’t want to lose your pearly whites, make sure you cut down on your sugar intake. A diet high in refined sugars and processed carbohydrates can lead to tooth decay, plaque buildup and eventual tooth loss. It’s also important to learn which medications can impact your teeth and bones.
Our diet is supposed to provide us with the building blocks and essential nutrients to grow and maintain a healthy body. Sometimes, however, what we eat fails to perform these functions and instead causes more harm than good. It’s never too late to work toward better physical health, and the change usually begins with what you choose to eat.
