In addition to the traditional classification of known diseases, scientists have recently begun to define diseases that are directly related to our lifestyle. In other words, they are called diseases of civilization, according to estet-portal.com. These are diseases that have not previously occurred in a particular ethnic group, but with a change in nutrition and living conditions, they began to manifest themselves more and more often. For example, the Eskimos practically never suffered from diabetes, and when our food was introduced into their environment, the incidence increased 144 times.
What can be attributed to the diseases of civilization
The diseases of civilization are often caused by our attempts to perceive the Western way of life as we imagine it. Applying to ourselves the behavior of people, their way of eating and lifestyle, we thereby provoke the development of such common diseases as:
• heart attacks and strokes;
• atherosclerosis;
• peptic ulcer;
• mental disorders, etc.
The mortality rate of the population with such health problems began to increase sharply over time. The influence of civilization on certain processes in the bio- and zoosphere, aggressive human intervention in the environment are directly related to the diseases of civilization.
Problems in the perception of a way of life do not mean at all that it is necessary to abandon the benefits of civilization, you just have to learn how to use them wisely. On the one hand – the number of deaths due to infectious and parasitic diseases has decreased in the world, since humanity has learned to effectively deal with them, and this is also an achievement of civilization. On the other hand – there was an increase in mortality due to chronic diseases leading to disability, etc.
The reasons why the diseases of civilization develop
The main reason – it is an imposed lifestyle that goes against our genetic heritage. The more radically we move away from how our ancestors lived, the more diseases become.
Everything that surrounds us has long changed beyond recognition, and our genes have remained almost the same as 200 years ago. If we imagine that only 7 generations have changed during this time, then civilization has gone forward with huge strides.
We are not genetically suited for:
• fast food digestion;
• long sitting at the computer or in front of the TV;
• crazy rhythm of life;
• a huge amount of information consumed, etc.
What diseases can be attributed to the diseases of civilization
With the development of mankind, each round of progress was associated with various epidemics: leprosy, plague, typhus, etc. The modern way of life is characterized mainly by the following diseases:
• diseases of the cardiovascular system,
• diabetes mellitus,
• all kinds of obesity,
• diseases of the musculoskeletal system, especially osteochondrosis,
• oncology,
• mental disorders (depressions, neuroses, etc.),
• insomnia,
• allergic reactions,
• drug, alcohol and nicotine addictions,
• hemorrhoids,
• caries, etc.
For example, every 6th inhabitant of developed countries suffers from allergies.
Psychological problems of all developed countries
Depressive states have long become the norm for our society and are in the nature of an epidemic. Some depression accompanies life. Depression leads to the fact that we lose the ability to do things that are natural for a person:
• work,
• love,
• enjoy life, etc.
Since we live in a state of constant stress, depression occurs as a response of the body to this state. Our body is genetically designed in such a way that we need stress for physical exertion (for example, catching an animal for food), and when it is not spent anywhere, it turns into depression.
Common features that bind all diseases of civilization
All diseases associated with the development of civilization can be grouped according to the following criteria:
• All these diseases are provoked by lifestyle, and nothing else.
• All diseases are chronic and develop gradually, with a constant accumulation of symptoms (for example, oncology).
• If you change your lifestyle (for example, switch to a healthy diet and engage in physical activity), you can postpone the development of the disease or get rid of it altogether.
• Modern pharmacology basically heals only the symptoms of diseases, and does not remove the very root of the problem.
• These diseases slowly but surely lead us to death and reduce the quality of life.
• Premature aging of the body is manifested in the fact that some diseases « rejuvenated» - e.g. heart attacks.
• An excess of calories in food leads to rapid wear and aging of the body.
What can I do to live longer?
First of all, in order for the diseases of civilization not to affect our health, it is necessary:
• change our way of life,
• change the power system,
• make time for physical activities,
• take time to relax emotionally.
We must try to put in order the territory in which we live, and monitor the environmental situation. For example, in some countries during the Second World War, the death rate from type 2 diabetes and the number of caries declined, as people were forced to eat simpler foods. Only with our own hands can we build a healthy future for ourselves. It all depends on us.
And how do you feel about the diseases of civilization? Share your thoughts on estet-portal.com.
Semantics: diseases of civilization, food system, depression, addictions, depressive states, stress.
Read also: What have we learned about the aging process in the last 120 years: a genetics perspective
Add a comment