Why Are The Holidays So Hazardous To Our Health?

By Dr. John Young

ItΓÇÖs a sad statistical fact: The holidays, from Christmas to New YearΓÇÖs, are a treacherous time when it comes to our health.

ΓÇ£ThereΓÇÖs a spike in heart attacks and other cardiac issues,ΓÇ¥ says Dr. John Young, a physician specializing in the treatment of chronic illnesses through biochemical, physiological and nutraceutical technologies. ΓÇ£The incidence of pneumonia cases spikes ΓÇô in both cold and warm climates. And deaths from natural causes spike.ΓÇ¥

While those numbers are well-documented, the cause(s) are not.

ΓÇ£Stress plays a role, particularly if your immune system is weakened,ΓÇ¥ Young says. ΓÇ£If you look at how most of us eat from Halloween through New YearΓÇÖs, itΓÇÖs easy to see how the immune system takes a beating and otherwise healthy people become more susceptible to illness during the holidays.ΓÇ¥

ItΓÇÖs basic biochemistry, he says.

ΓÇ£We eat a lot more refined sugar, for instance, which is a carbohydrate thatΓÇÖs been stripped of all the vitamins, minerals and proteins that make up a complete carbohydrate,ΓÇ¥ he says. ΓÇ£Our bodies canΓÇÖt use that, so the cells in our digestive organs work overtime, burning up a lot of energy, vitamins and minerals to digest it, and they get nothing back. So, eventually, they grow weak.ΓÇ¥

So can we have a little sugar, and good health, too? Young says we can.

ΓÇ£The occasional slice of pumpkin pie is fine as long as youΓÇÖre also feeding your cells with the nutrients they need ΓÇô the minerals, vitamins, good quality protein, amino acids, essential fatty acids ΓÇô to stay healthy.ΓÇ¥

He offers these tips for staying healthy through the holidays and throughout the year.

ΓÇó Get your vitamin D!

One of our best sources for it is sunshine. Unfortunately, many people work indoors all day, so they get little sun exposure. When they do go outside, they wear long sleeves and sunblock to protect against skin cancer. And, of course, in the wintertime, people in cold climes tend to stay inside. As a result, many of us are vitamin D deficient, and should be taking supplements.

ΓÇ£Vitamin D is crucial to many physiological systems, including our immune defenses,ΓÇ¥ Young says. ΓÇ£It helps fight bacterial and viral infections, including the flu. It supports our cardiovascular system; optimal vitamin D levels can reduce hypertension, heart attacks and stroke.

ΓÇó Eat your protein

In this country, we think a healthy diet means eating a lot of fruits and vegetables. WeΓÇÖve forgotten protein, Young says.

ΓÇ£Our immune system is made up of proteins ΓÇô our bones are 40 percent protein,ΓÇ¥ he says. ΓÇ£We need protein.ΓÇ¥

When calculating your protein intake, consider: an egg has about 8 grams, and 8 ounces of fish, chicken, beef or pork have about 30 grams.

Young does not give any of his patients more than 100 grams of protein a day. (EditorΓÇÖs note: Ask your doctor how many grams of protein are right for you.)

ΓÇó Get a good nightΓÇÖs sleep, exercise, and manage your stress.

Some doctorsΓÇÖ orders never change. Rest, exercise and finding effective, healthy ways to cope with stress are simple ways to pamper your cells.

ΓÇ£One of the many cellular benefits of exercise is that it increases the oxygen in our bloodstream,ΓÇ¥ Young says. ΓÇ£Every cell in our body requires oxygen, so consider exercise another means of feeding your cells.ΓÇ¥

ItΓÇÖs also important to manage stress during the holidays. With unchecked stress, our body releases large amounts of cortisol which, among other things, suppresses the immune system.

ΓÇ£Take time out to meditate, listen to music, or take a walk in the woods,ΓÇ¥ Young says. ΓÇ£It feels good ΓÇô and itΓÇÖs good for you!ΓÇ¥

Dr. John Young, (www.YoungHealth.com), is a physician with more than 15 yearsΓÇÖ experience working in emergency rooms and pediatric burn units. He is the medical director of Young Foundational Health Center and of Young Health Products.