Healthy Lifestyle = Healthy Future

The 05/12/03 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, a journal of the American Medical Association, published a study of 2,026 male Finnish athletes that showed greater health and more vitamin and mineral supplement use in this population compared to 1,401 controls subjects who were considered healthy at age 20. The athletes represented their country in international events from 1920 through 1965, and were followed up from 1970 to 1998.

The University of Helsinki researchers found a decreased need for starting medication for cardiac insufficiency, coronary heart disease and asthma in athletes compared to controls. Endurance athletes also had a reduced risk of being prescribed medication for diabetes and hypertension, a reduction that was not observed in those who had engaged in so-called power sports: boxing, wrestling, weight lifting, and track and field throwing. At the beginning of follow-up, athletes also used less antacids as well as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), which are often prescribed for arthritis. The use of vitamin A, B complex, vitamin C, selenium and iron supplements were greater than nonathletes.

The results of the study are consistent with what has previously been observed concerning the relationship between high levels of physical activity and reduced incidence of metabolic syndrome disease. The finding of a lack of protection of power sports participation against type 2 diabetes may reflect a genetic predisposition toward the disease among this group of athletes.

Although osteoarthritis of the lower body is more common in athletes, fewer of them used drugs to treat the condition, most likely because exercise helps alleviate pain. The authors are uncertain as to whether the increased use of nutritional supplements by former athletes in this study contributed to the lower need for pharmaceutical medications.

The Bottom Line

Could it be that athletes, regardless of age, are healthier because they in engage in healthier lifestyle activities like staying fit, eating well, taking vitamins and supplements and being more conscious of which choices they make that contribute to, rather than detract from, their health? It is also common knowledge, these days, that world class athletes are using chiropractic as part of their healthy lifestyle. You should too!