Two Things to Do Today to Stay Well

Annual physicals, prenatal care, twice-yearly dental check-ups and screening for diseases are all important components of preventive medicine. Regular physical activity, effective management of stress, not smoking and maintaining healthy lipid levels, blood pressure and weight are other aspects of prevention that should not be overlooked.

Life Extension believes that a healthy diet and daily supplementation are also important components of preventative care.

The World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) has acknowledged “the success of strategies for prevention and control of micronutrient malnutrition, which include dietary diversification and supplementation.”¹

Step 1: A Diverse Diet is Essential

A vital aspect of prevention involves the food we consume. It’s a pretty simple idea: Because there are many different things that can cause disease–environmental toxins, chronic stress, genetic predisposition–a diverse diet, providing a variety of healthy foods, is essential for disease prevention.

Most health authorities agree that a plant-based diet may help lower the risk of a number of chronic diseases. Medical research is continually discovering new components of fruits and vegetables that appear to be responsible for these protective effects.

The most notable compounds are plant-based antioxidants called polyphenols. New studies reveal that the high content of polyphenols found in a variety of fruits and vegetables is a key factor in disease prevention.^2-4

The Mediterranean diet—rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds and healthy fats—is a great source of polyphenols. This approach to eating has a large body of research backing it up as an effective way to reduce the risk of many illnesses and more.

Step 2: Fill-in Nutritional Gaps with Daily Supplementation

The Mediterranean diet is easy to follow; however, we recognize that it can be difficult getting all of the recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables.

The good news? Many of the health-promoting compounds from the Mediterranean diet are isolated in supplements that provide a beneficial nutritional boost. Supplements can “fill-in” daily nutritional gaps and help make up for dietary deficiencies of essential vitamins and minerals.

Consider adding a high-quality multivitamin, fish oil, a mineral formula and a concentrated polyphenol supplement to your daily routine.

For those looking to ensure they are taking all preventive actions to improve their overall health, a diverse diet and daily supplementation, in addition to regular checkups, can help ensure you are living your healthiest life.

1. www.who.int/nutrition/topics/WHA45.33_mnm_en.pdf. Accessed 8/22/19.
2. J Nutr. 2013;143(9):1445-50.
3. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2015;25(1):60-7.
4. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2017;83(1):114-28.