Unhealthy eating is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Eating an unhealthy diet can lead to chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and certain cancers. It can also lead to micro-nutrient deficiencies. Chronic disease and poor dietary choices can lead to increased health-care costs. Healthier diets could prevent approximately $71 billion per year in medical costs, lost productivity, and lost lives, reports Nutrition Policy.
Hypertension
Eating an unhealthy diet, particularly a diet high in sodium, can lead to hypertension -- high blood pressure. Blood pressure readings provide you with two numbers, systolic pressure and diastolic pressure. Systolic pressure is the force on your artery walls when your heart is pumping, and diastolic pressure is the force when your heart is at rest. Hypertension affects one in four adults in the United States. Often called the "silent killer," high blood pressure has no symptoms and can go undetected for years, so it is important to check your blood pressure regularly.
Diabetes Type II
Type II diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and usually results from poor lifestyle choices, including unhealthy eating. Lack of fiber, too much fat, and too many simple carbohydrates can all lead to a diagnosis of diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or cells do not respond to insulin as they should. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use glucose for energy. Type 2 diabetes can affect your ability to fight infections, cause you to have blurred vision and feel fatigued.
Heart Disease
Heart disease is a term that encompass a variety of issues that affect your heart, such as coronary artery disease, heart rhythm problems and heart infections. Many forms of heart disease can be prevented or treated with healthy lifestyle choices, such as maintaining a healthy diet. Symptoms of heart disease include chest pain, shortness of breath, numbness, and weakness or coldness in your extremities.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is the most common bone disease. It leads to the thinning of bone tissue and loss of bone density over time. When the body is unable to form new bone or when too much old bone is reabsorbed, osteoporosis can occur. By making healthy food choices, it is possible to prevent osteoporosis. A healthy diet containing calcium and phosphate helps with bone formation and bone production, which can prevent osteoporosis.
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