Greatest Risk Factor to our Health

What is the greatest risk factor to our health?

From 1955-1961 there was a research study done in Roseto, Pennsylvania. The study was to determine why the population didn’t have the same rate of heart disease that was seen in the rest of the states.


“There was no suicide, no alcoholism, no drug addiction, and very little crime. They didn’t have anyone on welfare. They looked at peptic ulcers. They didn’t have any of those either. These people were dying of old age. That’s it.”

-John Bruhn, Oklahoma sociologist


Was it diet?

They found that the people had a high fat diet, such as meatballs fried in lard. They were obese, didn’t exercise, and smoked.

So what was the difference? Lissa Rankin discusses this study on TEDx.


The #1 Public Health Issue Doctors Aren’t Talking About | Lissa Rankin, MD | TEDxFargo


A Lesson on the True Cause of Heart Disease

The Roseto Effect

About Lissa Rankin

Whole Health Medicine Institute

LisaRankin.com

Photo@Unsplash

8 Comments

  1. Kim Smyth

    This was such an eye-opening discussion, but one I suspected all along. I constantly worry about my dad being too lonely, even though my oldest son lives with him, even though my brother and I visit several times a week. He is still alone 85% of the time. He is almost 85, my mom is gone, and he now has Parkinson’s. His joints are starting to lock up and he has difficulty hearing and can barely talk. I don’t know what else to do, short of having him move in with us, but needless to say, I feel guilty all the time. Yes, we all have to kive our own lives, but I still feel guilty.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Pilgrimage Studio

      This sounds like a very hard situation. At least he has his grandson with him and your visits.

      I have transported elderly patients that live with their children, and although it is the best care, it can also very hard work, emotionally especially.

      The way one family worked this out was that one daughter and her husband would care for the mom & dad for a few months, and then she would take a vacation to rest and her sister and husband would come and stay with them. So it wasn’t so much pressure on just one person. They split it up between everyone. And they did their care in one home so their parents weren’t moved from their own home. Changing houses is so stressful.

      I’ve transported a few to adult daycare so that they were cared for while their family worked. Then we take them back home after.

      I wish you the very best in deciding what will work out best for your dad and for you as well. They say it takes a village to raise a child… it takes the same to care for our elders sometimes. Any support you can find will be very helpful.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Kim Smyth

        Thank you for the kind words. My brother and I have started to discuss the possibilities and it was suggested that he live with us for a time and then go with my brother for a while. Now that you said how stressful that would be, we will start thinking in a different vein. We aren’t there yet, he is still managing ok, but we recently got him a life station (like life alert) so that if he falls while we are all unavailable, 911 can get to him.

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Pilgrimage Studio

    It just seems that they are happiest in their own familiar environment and routines. But, maybe your dad will do just fine going between homes when the time comes. Each situation is different.

    My patient, that was under family care, couldn’t speak very well or hear, or walk. So we communicated with hand gestures and I would pat him on the shoulder when he was clear to roll his electric chair out of the van. He was a pro with that wheel chair!

    I love the life alerts or life stations. I have a patient that falls sometimes and that has come in very handy for her more than once.

    Step by step, I think the details will come together for you of what will work for everyone. This I know: caretakers need support too so don’t hesitate to ask for help! Maybe there are support groups near you. Groups of friends 👭

    All the best! 👭 Reach out here too if you need some help 😊

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