According to the World Health Organization (WHO) lifestyle diseases, which fall into the category of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), are equivalent to 71% of all deaths globally. NCDs are the result of genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioural factors, and the main types include cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes. Due to this ever rising epidemic of lifestyle diseases, we need to ensure that we are properly educated on all the facts surrounding the issue and on what we can do to lower our risk through healthy living; this can vary from modest changes in your environment, your diet, and physical activity, to adjustments in the nutritional supplements you take.
Who is at risk of lifestyle diseases?
Lifestyle diseases affect people of all age groups and regions, these conditions are mostly paralleled to older age groups, however this is not always the case, especially in the modern era. Children, adults and the elderly are all at risk to the factors which are linked to the cause of lifestyle diseases. These risk factors arise from unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, exposure to tobacco smoke or the abuse of alcohol.
Risk factors
There are various risk factors associated with lifestyle diseases, this splits into two categories; those that fall into the modifiable behavioural risk factors and those that fall under “uncontrollable” risk factors such as age and genetics.
The awareness and prevention of lifestyle diseases
Through healthy living and a more holistic awareness on what may specifically affect your health, you can safeguard your future health. By realising your predisposition to certain lifestyle disease, you can change your lifestyle in order to ensure your wellbeing for the future. Through performing a cheek swab this is just some of the information you will acquire about yourself:
- How effective certain diets would be, specific to your genetic makeup
- Your predisposition for future diseases
- Detection of current conditions which you may be unaware of, for example, lactose intolerance.
Genetic test screening, like GENEWELL, tests for genetic variations that are linked to an increased risk for certain lifestyle diseases. Through a buccal swab, which is non evasive unlike a DNA blood test, you will be provided with a comprehensive health and wellness report that can also include a precise nutrition plan tailored to your genetic needs.
The knowledge and awareness of your genetic makeup will empower you to manage and develop your lifestyle in order to lower the risk of certain diseases through healthy living and a wellness plan specifically drafted for you, based on your DNA. For more information on how you can safeguard your future health, contact us today.
