The Problem of Chronic Disease
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), chronic diseases are the biggest causes of death and disability in this country. They account for 1.7 million deaths every year (that's 70 percent of all deaths) and cause major disabilities and lifestyle limitations for another 25 million Americans (almost 10 percent of the population).
High-fat, calorie-dense foods and a sedentary existence are known causes of chronic disease. And as people in the developing world increasingly adopt this lifestyle, their rates of chronic disease are exploding. According to the World Health Organization, chronic disease, which now contributes to about 60 percent of deaths worldwide, will be responsible for nearly 75 percent by 2020.
Generally speaking, chronic diseases aren't preventable by any vaccine, nor can they be cured by medicines. They also don't just go away on their own. Most can be traced to either a genetic predisposition or a set of lifestyle factors — including the way you eat, exercise, and entertain yourself over the course of your life.
We know that many diseases and conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer, alcoholism, and asthma, can run in families. Having a family member — especially a close relative — with a certain disease means you might have a higher chance of developing it than someone with no family history. But it doesn't mean that you'll definitely be affected. Genetics are only one part of the picture.
The biggest factor in most cases of chronic disease is health behavior: using (or avoiding) tobacco and alcohol, for example, or making healthy (or unhealthy) menu choices. Numerous studies have shown a clear connection between diet and chronic disease: Simply put, people who eat a plant-based diet, with more whole grains and lean protein and less red meat and processed foods, have less cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.
