I never thought when I started in health and fitness that there would be a time when we would need to be reminded about the importance of vaccinations. But here we are.
On the 4th of July, I am constantly amazed that at a time of incredible scientific advances, there are people actively reducing the lifespan of millions. It will affect us all.
Research that will impact you or someone you love is being destroyed. The Women’s Health Study, is only one example. It is one of the longest studies on women’s health care that has ever been done, and the results have included dietary recommendations, hormonal therapies for breast cancer prevention and treatment and research on inflammation. It could soon vanish.
Vaccinations are another.
If you hope to live a long and healthy life, vaccines will make a difference.
Last month, John Robbins, one of the pioneers of healthy, ethical and sustainable food systems, passed away from post-polio syndrome.
John was the heir to Baskin-Robbins, but he chose a different path. In 1987, he published the best-selling book, Diet for a New America, linking animal agriculture to the environmental, ethical and health costs. He walked away from the family business and chose to live by his values, which promoted healthy, sustainable plant-based food systems.
No one should contract polio ever again. We have vaccines that prevent cancer, tuberculosis, and measles. There are vaccines to prevent 30 life-threatening diseases and infections. The World Health Organization estimates that 154 million lives have been saved by vaccines in the last 50 years.
You know what happens when people get vaccinated? Nothing. Nothing happens, and that is the idea.
What happens when people don’t get vaccinated? They suffer unnecessarily. Their immune system is weakened. There are many long-term consequences. Like John Robbins, their health and possibly their longevity will be diminished.
At a time when vaccines are being limited and under attack, it is even more important to stay up to date on your vaccinations. One of the more controversial ones is the COVID-19 vaccination.
There is a long list of consequences from a COVID infection, and being vaccinated doesn’t prevent infection. However, it does reduce the severity of the infection. It might even reduce the impact of long-COVID. Unfortunately, women seem most affected by long-COVID, which may be due to hormones or less muscle mass or both.
If you want to improve longevity reducing the number of COVID infections is important. Studies have shown that people have accelerated immune ageing after a COVID infection. You are more susceptible to other health conditions. You can listen to or read about them here.
Preventing conditions that have long-term consequences is an easy way to improve your healthspan.
John Robbins survived polio at age five and lived longer and healthier than most survivors. Post-polio syndrome normally shows up 15-40 years after the initial infection. John lived an additional healthy years for 65 more years. Experts attribute this to his plant-based diet, healthy living and exercise.
We have the knowledge and tools to prevent this from happening again.
Change your mind, change your health,
Shayla
If you want more information about COVID and exercise, you can join the COVID Resources crew.
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