Running: A Fresh Look

I like to run. I am not a fast runner; quite average in fact. But it gives me a chance to renew my body and my mind. Running outside helps me think more clearly, meditate and recharge while I give my muscles, bones and heart a great workout. I'm sure there are many of you who are passionate about running and can relate to the mental and physical boost it provides. For you running nuts, I wanted to do a short series that gives a fresh look to an old movement.

First off, I won't talk about the cardiovascular and general health benefits that running provides. You all know about that and it's been well researched and written about by hundreds of authorities. Instead, let's start by looking at the hormonal milieu that your body goes through.

A 2008 paper in the European Journal of Internal Medicine found that cortisol levels are increased after running a marathon. This comes as no surprise as cortisol is famous for being a "stress hormone." A 26.2 mile race is quite a physical stressor.

Cortisol itself is a great hormone but in today's hectic world, the "emotional marathon" of daily life takes its toll. Coupled with other physical demands such as irregular meal times & sleep deficit, we continue to tax the adrenal glands (the body part that produces cortisol) until there is either overburden or outright fatigue of these glands.

In other words, training with "burned out" adrenal glands can be hazardous. We'll make a case in future blog entries.

Your Insurance and Tobacco

The story making headlines this morning is the report in the New England Journal of Medicine that several life & disability insurance companies invest billions of dollars into tobacco company stock. This seems to cross obvious moral and ethical lines, suggesting an attitude of "dollars over principles", but I'll leave further commentary to others.

The take home message here: You are in charge of your health.

The last thing I want is for readers to become absorbed in a "the evil world is out to get you" kind of attitude. I just want us all to realize that no one else; no 3rd party, insurer, friend or professional will care about your health as much as you will.

Be empowered. Take ownership. Take control of your health. No one else will do it for you.

Is Health Care in Trouble?

President Obama has consistently called for dramatic health care reform. Most economists agree that if the health care system isn't fixed, it has the potential to drag down the entire economy. Check out this June 2009 report from the White House Council of Economic Advisors. It states,

"Health care expenditures in the United States are currently about 18 percent of gross domestic product, and this share is projected to rise sharply. ... is projected to reach 34 percent by 2040"

There is no arguing the need for reform. The debate seems to be what that reform will look like and how it will be paid for.

I recently read an article and one line burned into my brain. The author wrote, "America doesn't have a health care problem. It has a health problem." (I've searched high and low but cannot remember or find the source).

This may be a bit of an overstatement but the point it makes is clear.
1. Nearly 50% of Americans have at least 1 chronic disease.
2. Risk factors for chronic disease are largely preventable.
3. Chronic disease accounts for 75% of health care spending.

If you put 2 and 2 together, this translates as "75% of our health care dollars, or $1.5 trillion, can be saved by living well."

I appreciate the efforts to streamline medical care, insure the uninsured and promote electronic medical records to improve efficiency and save dollars. But that savings will not equal the $1.5 trillion that we have the power to save by making wise decisions.