Experts Offer Advice for Longer, Healthier Lives

Israeli medical experts are sharing crucial advice for improving long-term health and reducing the risk of serious diseases, emphasizing that simple daily habits can make a significant difference. The recommendations cover various aspects of health, including heart disease, sleep disorders, cancer prevention, joint health, nutrition, mental well-being, and diabetes management.

Dr. Erez Levy, a cardiologist, highlights the concept of "cumulative burden" on the heart, explaining that factors like poor sleep, prolonged stress, and sedentary behavior have a cumulative negative impact. Conversely, positive changes like increased daily steps or better sleep quality offer cumulative protection. He stresses that early intervention and maintaining healthy habits from one's twenties and thirties are key, as conditions like atherosclerosis develop slowly. Levy also emphasizes the importance of adequate sleep, recommending eight hours of quality sleep nightly, and regular moderate aerobic activity, even for those not training intensely. He advises taking short breaks to move every half hour to counteract the risks of prolonged sitting.

Dr. Roni Farber, a public health official, warns that snoring can be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea, a serious condition that increases the risk of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cognitive impairment. He urges individuals experiencing significant snoring, daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, or other less common symptoms, especially if they have risk factors like obesity or hypertension, to seek medical evaluation.

Experts like Dr. Maya Gottfried and Professor Shai Kivity point to lifestyle choices as significant factors in cancer and joint disease prevention. Smoking is identified as a major risk factor for various cancers and inflammatory joint diseases, potentially increasing the risk of rheumatoid arthritis up to sixfold. Maintaining a healthy weight through regular exercise and a balanced diet is also crucial for reducing the risk of certain cancers and joint conditions like gout.

Nutrition expert Olga Raz recommends avoiding all types of sugar, minimizing intake of saturated fat and ultra-processed foods, and opting for healthy fats like olive or canola oil. She advises eating smaller meals every 3-4 hours to maintain stable blood sugar and energy levels, and basing the diet on complex carbohydrates. Dr. Sharon Pless, specializing in digestive system tumors, emphasizes that over 50% of cancer cases are preventable through healthy lifestyle choices, avoiding toxins, and regular screening tests, noting a concerning rise in younger cancer patients.

Regarding mental health, Dr. Iris Cohen Yavin discusses the prevalence of chronic mental disorders and the impact of ongoing security events, leading to an increase in PTSD. She stresses the importance of reducing social stigma to encourage early help-seeking and emphasizes that appropriate treatment can significantly improve quality of life. Professor Naim Shahada advises regular diabetes check-ups and lifestyle adjustments, including regular physical activity, a balanced diet, and weight management, to reduce diabetes risk, noting that genetic factors also play a role.