Is there an addiction to an obsessive pursuit of a healthy lifestyle?

Does it not become mystical and irrational in many instances?

Naturally, there is for instance sports addiction, with biochemical processes involved in triggering a quantum of happiness, and a withdrawal effect when not provided.

Can, in turn, an obsessive pursuit of a healthy lifestyle lead to unhealthy shortcomings?

This should be answered by health professionals...

What do you think?

A short-cut is also known: try too hard to always be happy and you will not be that happy...

A healthy middle-aged adult person with no significant past medical history asked a question whether or not he should change his diet and exercise routine. He has no medical complaints or issues and as already mentioned has no significant past medical history. His baseline laboratory tests were all within normal limit from his cholesterol to blood sugar including his liver and kidney function tests, etc. He's of average height and weight and able to maintain normal weight without any special diet or exercise routine. He consumes both vegetables and animal fat and protein without prejudice. He's aware of the harm from processed foods and tries to avoid or at least keep them very minimum when possible. He drinks beer and wine occasionally on the weekend or on special occasion but no more than 2-3 drinks. He does not use drugs and doesn't smoke. He doesn't have an exercise routine or goes to the gym to work out. He rides his bicycle to work. He's an avid swimmer because he likes to windsurf whenever possible which is usually 1-2 times a week. He usually swims for 15-20 minutes on the days when he can't surf. In summary, here's a healthy adult with an already good lifestyle and habit.

He recently met someone who seemed to be very influential and persuaded him to change his diet and to do different exercise routine. He would like to know if he will be better off and healthier by changing them. He's heard and read many conflicting claims regarding different diets and supplements.

I think the one thing that we can do to improve our health is "prevention". We can try to prevent certain illnesses by avoiding the certain behaviors and well known causes that cause the illnesses such as smoking and lung diseases or cholesterol laden foods and heart diseases. We can only try to prevent what may occur in the future, but we can not get any healthier if we already are healthy, no matter the supplements nor the food gimmicks being promised out there.

I think we can if we follow the two rules together:

1) Avoiding all the sources of oxidative/destructive stresses originated from:

- physical and chemical factors: pollution, smoking, noise, drugs, alcohols, irradiation...,

- biological factors: pathogens microorganisms, viruses...,

- and psychological factors.

2) Reinforcing the defences of the body by the anti-stress factors such as:

- antioxidant-rich balanced organic foods,

- sportive activities,

- internal peace: satisfaction and contentment.

- external peace: good relationship with the medium.

Thank you, Duried, for your reply and excellent pointers regarding both the good and the bad things that can affect our health. I agree with everything that you point out, however, many of the things mentioned are not achievable nor practical.

Places where most people live have already been polluted by everything you mention. How do you avoid pathogens? You can't. We're part of nature which is full of both beneficial and harmful organisms both big and small from viruses, bacteria, and fungi to poisonous plants and predatory animals. We're all part of one big ecosystem on this planet earth. You have to create an artificial "bubble" like environment to have such a sterile environment where nothing is harmful.

Regarding oxidative stress and antioxidant, I do agree that consuming food rich in antioxidant is much better than taking supplements and may combat the bad effects of the oxidative stress. But, oxidation is also part of our biology and occurs in nature all the time. Exercises, with all the hypes and benefits to our health, do produce oxidative stress that can damage the body especially when it's done only acutely compared to the protective benefit of chronic exercises. The fact that the reactive oxygen species or free radicals and peroxides can also be beneficial in our immune system in killing pathogens makes this subject even more complicated and not as straight forward as we would like. This is another example of how complex and complicated human biology and the issue of optimal health.

I agree with you Dear Ben Martinez. That's true we cannot live in a "bubble" but we must make our best. I think we need to live a balanced life.

That's true that some oxidants are necessary for some biological mechanisms but this matter likes the drug if we take too much it becomes harmful. I encourage the consumption of antioxidant-rich vegetables and fruits because they contain vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals which are together crucial for our health.

You know that antioxidant plays reducing agent role which means it can provide electron(s) for another component (oxidant). That's true that some oxidants play positive role in some biological mechanisms as you cited but the majority of them are responsible for many diseases such as infection and cancer. I like Antioxidants because they are beautiful (pigments), generous (giving electrons), natural, sensible and strong. We know that the source of all the stars including our sun forms from a powerful "reducing agent" or "antioxidant" which is the hydrogen.

Nice analogy, Duried, regarding the antioxidant or "reducing agent". I agree with you regarding the consumption of food rich in antioxidants. However, there are many studies that have shown that taking the antioxidant supplements instead of consuming the foods that contain the antioxidants does not have the same benefit and may actually do more harm.

Some cancers such as lung cancer and melanoma have been made worse with the addition of antioxidant supplementation such as vitamin E and beta carotene. It has been theorized that the excessive antioxidants obtained by taking the extra supplements actually promotes tumor growth and metastasis by reducing the oxidative stress which allows the tumor cells to proliferate. This is a good example of why supplements that the body doesn't need can cause harm. Anything in excess is usually not good and may cause detrimental effects. Excess doesn't usually create "balance". And, "balance" is essential in achieving homeostasis. Homeostasis is essential for good health.

I agree with you Dear Ben Martinez. The organic and natural sources of antioxidants such as fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices are better than their antioxidant supplements. Also the excess of anything is not good and may be harmful. I think the hydrogen will be used in the future as an effective "drug" for treating many oxidation-related diseases. I am working on this gas since 20 years in food preservation field and we found great positive effects of hydrogen on the quality of foods. Concerning the use of hydrogen in therapeutic field, new studies proved its "magical" properties against several diseases including cancer and inflammation, and they described hydrogen as "new therapeutic agent" in medicine. For more information about this subject please refer to the following articles:

https://www.nature.com/articles/nm1577

Article A review of experimental studies of hydrogen as a new therap...

Duried, excellent mention of the first element on the periodic table, the lightest and the most abundant in the universe, hydrogen. Thank you for the reference. I have read some research where hydrogen acts not only as anti-oxidative stress but also as anti-inflammatory and anti allergic effects. Hydrogen has the potential to become the great anti-oxidant that the medical field has been searching if we know the exact amount and how it actually works on different diseases it affects. Wouldn't it be great if we can consume something organic which in turn can produce the hydrogen we need inside our body to combat the oxidative stress?

Exactly Dear Ben Martinez, I believe as the hydrogen is the origin of all other elements and the source of energy in universe, it could be the remedy for many disorders in our body. When we return to the origin, we can find the answer of many questions.

Duried, we have learned of how most diseases occur, and in many cases, of how to prevent them or what the exact agents or processes that make us ill. But, the real problem is how translate what we know into practical applications in our daily life. For example, we know that antioxidants may be good for health, but in what form and amount is the key to good health to achieve the fine balance that we need. Many studies have shown that "more" is not always good and can be harmful instead.

Over the years, humans have developed what I like to call the "short cut attitude". Almost everything is being invented or discovered to provide humans with more convenience in mind. Why bother to prepare food from whole and natural ingredients when we can just mix the protein shake and take bunch of other supplements instead? I like the facts that innovations and creativities are being utilized to make the supplements, but that's just it. They're supplements that are intended to be used when your body can not derive those essential nutrients from natural food such as seen when the body is ill and natural food is not available to the body. Otherwise, why would a healthy body which can get all the nutrients it needs from natural food ever need supplements?

The fact that "more" is not usually good also goes with antioxidants. More of of certain antioxidants actually may promote oxidation, the very thing that we try to fight.

Duried, I've read the page of your research regarding redox and food preservation. You have impressive background. I wrote discussions regarding "fasting" and "placebo effects" to get and exchange interesting opinions from all the minds out there. Please do comment if you like. Any thought can be useful in the quest to a healthy life.

Dear Ben Martinez, I'm totally agree with you about the importance of specification of daily uptake of antioxidants. I'm remember a nice word of a scientist who says "every thing can become a toxic if it was consumed at high levels including water and oxygen". As we said previously "we have to take the balance in our life".

Dear Ben Martinez,

I think, as I said previously, the majority of our health problems are linked with the pollution of everything (water, air, food, soil, environment, sound, mind, thinking...). Simply, We have damaged the nature. We have alteted every good and nice thing around us. I believe when we return to the origin, we can live healthy.

Dear Ben Martinez,

Yes, but by following a healthy lifestyle, including healthier eating and physical activity, we improve our health. We do not know exactly to what extent we improve our health, but we know and feel that it is. Besides, after a certain period of using a healthy lifestyle, we can have a certain psychological comfort, being aware that without using a healthy lifestyle, the current state of health would probably be much weaker than it is.

Regards,

Dariusz Prokopowicz

Is there an addiction to an obsessive pursuit of a healthy lifestyle?

Does it not become mystical and irrational in many instances?

Naturally, there is for instance sports addiction, with biochemical processes involved in triggering a quantum of happiness, and a withdrawal effect when not provided.

Can, in turn, an obsessive pursuit of a healthy lifestyle lead to unhealthy shortcomings?

This should be answered by health professionals...

What do you think?

A short-cut is also known: try too hard to always be happy and you will not be that happy...

Dear Dr.Renaud Di Francesco

Thank you for sharing this good question.

I agree with Dr Ben [email protected] .

Good luck.

Dear Mr. Martinez!

You raised an important point to consider. I say, we should have positive thinking: with aiming at doing certain things better each day. It is important to reflect each day to the previous one, especially now when the mysterious COVID-19 is on the move:

1) Huber, B.C., Steffen, J., Schlichtiger, J. et al. Altered nutrition behavior during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in young adults. Eur J Nutr (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-020-02435-6 Open Access:

Article Altered nutrition behavior during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown...

2) Ferreira, L.N., Pereira, L.N., da Fé Brás, M. et al. Quality of life under the COVID-19 quarantine. Qual Life Res (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-020-02724-x Available at:

Article Quality of life under the COVID-19 quarantine

3) Ifeoma Monye et al. (2020). Strengthening immunity through healthy lifestyle practices: Recommendations for lifestyle interventions in the management of COVID‐19, Lifestyle Medicine Volume 1 Issue 1, Open Access:

Article Strengthening immunity through healthy lifestyle practices: ...

4) A case-study: Dimple Rawat et al. (2021). Impact of COVID-19 outbreak on lifestyle behaviour: A review of studies published in India, Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews, Volume 15, Issue 1, January–February 2021, Pages 331-336 Open Access:

Article Impact of COVID-19 outbreak on lifestyle behaviour: A review...

Yours sincerely, Bulcsu Szekely

As we known that Health is Wealth & we ourselves have to be taken care of our health by taking careful diet ,avoiding a fast food , & oily food one can certainly preserve his health in right direction .

This is my personal opinion