High risk of stroke, cerebrovascular disease or other neurological disorders
Fruits and vegetables are natural foods with low fat and few calories but plentiful vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber and phytochemicals. Research studies have shown that eating more fruit and vegetables can substitute or reduce the need to eat food with a lot of fat, sugar and salt. It can also limit the intake of excess energy, preventing a person from becoming fat. As a result, eating sufficient fruit and vegetables can help prevent multiple health issues such as hypertension, diabetes, strokes and heart disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that each person should have at least two servings of fruits and three servings of vegetables every day (with one serving weighing approximately 80g) in order to be healthy.
(Source: Centre for Food Safety, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department)
High risk of cancer or organ failure
People who have a family history of cancer, such as breast cancer or colorectal cancer, are at a higher risk of developing it. In a small number of families, a change in the gene that controls cell growth is passed on from one generation to the next. Although some family members may have a higher risk of developing cancer, not all family members will develop it.
(Source: Cancer Fund)
High risk of heart or vascular disease
People whose immediate family has a history of heart disease and strokes are also at a higher risk of the same happening to them. A couple with a family history whereby themselves, their relatives or children have had congenital heart disease, is at a higher risk of their next baby also having it than with couples whose family has no history of heart disease. Furthermore, babies with chromosome abnormalities, such as Down Syndrome, are also in the higher risk category.
(Source: Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong)
High risk of heart or vascular disease
Two and a half hours of aerobic exercise (cardio) every week helps reduce blood pressure and levels of cholesterol. It also contributes towards lessening the risk of, among other things, having a heart disease, developing high blood pressure and diabetes. Physical activity is particularly effective for people with diabetes. In addition, it improves blood circulation and strengthens the cardiopulmonary function.
(Source: Department of Health)
High risk of stroke, cerebrovascular disease or other neurological disorders
Smoking increases the risks of having a stroke regardless of a person's age. The risk of having a stroke will be further increased if a person is also taking oral contraceptive pills. Research studies report that the risk of smokers having a stroke is three times that of non-smokers; moreover, smokers are more likely to suffer a stroke up to 10 years earlier than a non-smoker. One research study was carried out by scientists, with 950 people who have had a stroke. Among these 950 people, 700 were smokers with their average age being 58. Meanwhile, of the 250 non-smokers the average age was above 67. Besides this, the risk of a smoker having an occlusive stroke is doubled while the risk of a hemorrhagic stroke is four times higher.
(Source: Neurology, The University of Hong Kong)
High risk of stroke, cerebrovascular disease or other neurological disorders
Alcoholism can cause damage to the nervous system, intestine and stomach, liver and cardiovascular system. A person may also lose control of inhibitions under the influence of alcohol, increasing the risk of accidents. The worst case scenario could see the nervous and respiratory systems repressed. Long-term alcohol abuse can also lead to vitamin B1 deficiency along with damage to the nervous system, which could cause trembling, epilepsy seizures, loss of memory and dementia. Furthermore, people who abuse alcohol are exposed to a higher risk of pancreatitis, hepatitis, cirrohosis and heart disease.
(Source: Department of Health)
High risk of cancer or organ failure
The long-term stress derived from working along with an unhealthy lifestyle increases the risk of developing cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization (WHO) reported in the leading medical journal, The Lancet, in 2007 listed working night shifts as one of the factors causing cancer.
(Source: World Health Organization)