Preventing Illness More Economical Than Treating the Sick

by: David Gutierrez
Wednesday, November 19, 2008

(NaturalNews) Investing in preventive health care is far more cost-effective than treating people after they get sick, according to a report from the nonprofit advocacy group Trust for America's Health.

"We've got to change the mindset from treating sick people to preventing illnesses in the first place," said U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin in response to the report.

Researchers calculated how much rates of certain diseases could be decreased by investing money in programs that have been proven to lower smoking rates and increase healthy eating and physical activity. They found that within two years, investment in community health programs could lead to a 5 percent reduction in rates of diabetes and high blood pressure, while significantly reducing rates of arthritis and some kinds of cancer within only 10 to 20 years.

For every dollar invested in community-based preventive health care programs, the researchers found, $5.60 in later healthcare treatment would be saved. Investing just $10 per person could lead to savings of more than $16 billion per year within only five years.

People often think that such programs "[pay] off 20 or 30 years from now," Harkin said, "but this shows you get the money back almost immediately, and then the savings grows bigger and bigger."

The report encourages federal, state and local governments to increase tobacco taxes, ban smoking in public places and require nutrition labels on restaurant menus. It also urges governments to increase funding for community health initiatives, like a program in Dallas that has led to improved eating and physical activity habits among participating youth. Governments can also encourage healthy living through relatively simple and inexpensive measures, the report said, such as keeping sidewalks in good shape.

"What's been interesting is that if you make it easier for people to make better choices, they actually do," said Jeffrey Levi, executive director of the Trust for America's Health.

How Magnesium Deficient Are You?

Are You Magnesium Deficient?

Over 300 biochemical reactions in the body depend on magnesium and is known for its healing effects.

1, Deficiencies in magnesium leave people vulnerable to developing acute and chronic conditions due to not getting the minerals needed from their daily food intake.

Magnesium Carbonate is used as a dietary supplement for weightlifters and gymnasts to improve their grip on the bars.

Magnesium Hydroxide is used in Milk of Magnesia for the treatment of constipation.

Magnesium Chloride and Magnesium Sulfate are used in Epsom Salts which is used as a cathartic. Magnesium Chloride has also been known to fight infection.

Magnesium Citrite is used in medicine.

Magnesium Stearate is used in pharmaceutical technology to manufacture tablets. It prevents the tablets from sticking or caking to the equipment during the manufacturing process. It is also used as a binder in the process of making candy.

Magnesium is a crucial nutrient when it comes to proper body functioning. Magnesium ions play a major role in cellular function and strongly influence cardiovascular and neuromuscular excitability.

How do you know if your body is deprived of this valuable nutrient? These signs can be indicators of magnesium deficiency:

* Cardiac Arrhthmias: Irregular heart beat, palpitations.
* Leg Cramps and foot cramps that are especially bothersome at night.
* Tremors: Tremors usually involve the hands, but can sometimes the head, face, voice, and legs.
* Anxiety
* Muscle Weakness: Lack of strength
* Chronic Fatigue: Overwhelming exhaustion both mentally and physically.
* Depression: Sadness, fear, hopelessness.

In a clinical trial involving thirty-two (32) patients with chronic fatigue syndrome, fifteen (15) were given magnesium and seventeen (17) were given water. Twelve (12) of the (15) patients who received the magnesium saw improvement in their energy levels, sleep patterns, and physical mobility. 2

This metallic element is not readily available in foods, therefore magnesium supplementation could help prevent high blood pressure and the other indicators listed above. 2

Magnesium supplementation can help people avoid serious disease or recover from ones they already have. There are many reasons, scientific studies, and professional medical and scientific data that sustain this statement. 2

A study documented in the International Journal of Cardiology in 1996 found that taking 600 mg of magnesium daily lowered the systolic blood pressure by almost 8 points and the diastolic pressure by almost 4 points. 1

It is difficult to get enough magnesium from the diet. In 1900 the average American diet consisted of approximately 450 mg of magnesium per day. By the year 2000, that figure dropped to about 200 mg of magnesium each day. 1

The need to increase magnesium in our diet is so strong that a gentleman by the name of Paul Mason has petitioned the government to add magnesium to bottled water and other bottled drinks. 3

"Paul Mason is telling the world that consuming more magnesium could save 21 million lives a year." 3

Reference:

1. Life Extension Magazine: The Ultimate Source for New Health and Medical Findings September 2004. "Magnesium in Hypertension" By Jay S. Cohen, MD. Pgs 40-48

2. MagnesiumForLife.com "Magnesium and Medicine"

3. Life Extension Magazine: The Ultimate Source for New Health and Medical Findings September 2005. "As We See It: How Many Americans Are Magnesium Deficient" By William Falloon.