What is the REAL cost of achieving great health? Is there an increased cost? Or does it actually create a savings? Well that all depends on how you define COST, how well you understand risk, and the value you place on your own health.
A shocking health statistic is that two out of every three people in the U.S. will die prematurely from heart disease or cancer. Many have forgotten, or maybe never even understood in the first place, that the majority of people that die of heart disease or cancer do so by choice. They just may not realize it. You see, our diet and and lifestyle habits, largely determine that outcome. Many people are making poor decisions, not only for themselves, but for their family, which puts them and their families at risk of dying prematurely as well as severe financial risk.
Have you ever thought about the cost of having a heart attack?
According to an article from the National Business Group on Health, the average total cost of a severe heart attack–including direct and indirect costs–is about $1 million. Direct costs include charges for hospitals, doctors and prescription drugs, while the indirect costs include lost productivity and time away from work. The average cost of a less severe heart attack is about $760,000. Amortized over 20 years, that’s $50,000 per year for a severe heart attack and $38,000 per year for a less severe heart attack.
You might want to argue that insurance will pay for a large part of the direct costs, but whatever assumptions you make about those costs, you’re still looking at a high annual cost of denial. You might also argue that healthy food costs more than unhealthy food, and although this isn't necessarily true, any perceived difference can’t possibly make up for the high cost of denial. And who can put a price on health or a damaged heart?
Now have you ever thought about the cost of contracting some form of cancer?
While no one but your doctor or insurance company can answer what the individual cost is precisely, the estimated total cost of cancer care in the United States in 2020 will exceed $100 billion. It really depends on the type of Cancer and treatment that will be received as to the individual cost. It's not unheard of, however, for this number to range in the $200,000 to $500,000 range.
How many people are prepared for THAT kind of cost? They might be thinking it's not that bad because health insurance will cover it. But how many people don't have health insurance? 25%? And even if somebody does have health insurance, what kind of drain will they be putting on the already troubled healthcare system? And again, what about the price of health and life? How much would your family say you are worth?
Now let's take a look at what it would cost you to achieve optimal health which greatly reduces your risk of contracting heart disease or cancer. Let's take into account the three fundamental things you MUST do to be healthy. Excellent health requires paying attention to proper diet, proper supplementation, and exercise.
Let's talk about proper diet first, and the perceived additional cost to switch from eating poorly to eating healthy.
Proper Diet: Actual Change in Food Investment = $0 (maybe even a cost SAVINGS)
If you were to do some calculations, you would find that replacing unhealthy food with healthy food doesn't really cost more money, but it does add on years to your life and give you more life in your years! The average cost of a combo meal at a fast food restaurant is about $4 to $10, depending on the restaurant. (The ‘fast’ in fast-food means the restaurant must take shortcuts with their raw materials or prepared foods (like pre-cutting and freezing vegetables) – time-saving methods that compromise or deplete nutrients.)
Not only does it not really cost more to eat healthy, it can actually SAVE YOU MONEY! Take just over $4 and you could buy a pound of brown rice, a pound of beans, and a pound of frozen broccoli and make the equivalent of six meals. Spend one evening cooking it and have the rest for lunch for almost the entire week. And food prepared at home from fresh ingredients provides maximum nutritional value, plus the peace of mind that comes with knowing exactly what goes into your food.
NOTE:
* A 1-pound bag of brown rice sells for about $1.75 and cooks up into about 10 side servings -- that's just 18 cents a serving. (170 calories, 2 grams fiber, and 4 grams protein).
* A 1-pound bag of pound of dried pinto beans can be found for about $0.67 a pound and that provides approximately 6 cups of refried beans. If you really like pinto beans, Costco sells 25-pound bags for just over $12. You’d have a hard time finding a high protein, low-fat main dish that is cheaper than that.
*A 1-pound bag of broccoli can be picked up for about $2 a pound.
And here are some prices for some other healthy foods:
* You can get a 13- to 16-ounce box or bag of store-brand dried whole-wheat or multigrain pasta for about $1.69. That's about 24 cents a serving. (About 200 calories, 7 grams protein, and 6 grams fiber).
* You can get a 22-ounce loaf of store-brand whole-wheat bread for about $1.99 (on sale). Each loaf has about 22 slices, or 11 servings of 2 slices each. That's about 18 cents a serving. (About 120 calories, 6 grams protein, and 3 grams fiber).
* Individual servings of non-fat greek yogurt (6- to 8-ounce containers) cost about 89 cents each, and sometimes less when found on sale. (150 calories, 0 grams fiber, and 14 grams protein for a 6-ounce serving of honey vanilla).
Now let's move on to the second critical item in protecting your health, proper supplementation.
Proper Supplementation: Actual Change in Investment = $60 per month (assuming you aren't already on a good multivitamin/multimineral supplement)
Irregardless of health status, everybody needs to be on a PHARMACEUTICAL-GRADE multivitamin and a supplement that contains the healthy fats, like fish oil, to ensure you are getting enough of the healthy fats. So why is a multivitamin even necessary? The answer is, to fill in the missing gap of nutrients that aren't obtained from diet. It has become clear that the majority of people are deficient when it comes to essential nutrients. Do not underestimate the importance of a good multivitamin/multimineral supplement. It is the best health insurance your money can buy!
So why do you need a so-called "pharmaceutical-grade" multivitamin/multimineral supplement? The answer is, to ensure you are getting what you are paying for...and that what is on the label is actually in the bottle! Does the idea of throwing money away appeal to you? If not, ensure your supplements are manufactured to pharmaceutical standards.
NOTE: Most nutritional supplements on the market are manufactured to the LOWEST quality standard possible called a "food-grade" standard. They do this to save money. And while companies do save money, your health is not protected.
And lastly,why do you need fish oil?...or at least a product that delivers healthy fats? The answer is, there are significant health benefits from consuming omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids (the healthy fats).
And now to the third critical item in protecting your health, exercise.
Exercise: Actual Change in Investment = $0 (It is not necessary to have a gym membership.)
While $30 is around the average cost of a gym membership, having one is NOT necessary to improve your health. What is necessary is that you start moving your body.
According to the CDC, for important health benefits, adults need at least:
* 2 hours & 30 minutes of moderate-intensity AEROBIC ACTIVITY (i.e. brisk walking) every week and muscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days a week that work all major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms);
OR
* 1 hour & 15 minutes of vigorous-intensity AEROBIC ACTIVITY (i.e. jogging or running) every week and muscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days a week that work all major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms);
OR
* An equivalent mix of moderate- and vigorous-intensity AEROBIC ACTIVITY and muscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days a week that work all major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms).
If you are looking to save money, you can lift weights at home and you can run around your block. What you can't do is take for granted the importance of aerobic exercise and muscle-strengthening activities.
I want to conclude by summarizing that in order to achieve optimal health, three things are required, proper diet, proper supplementation, and exercise. The net change in investment for MOST people to achieve excellent health is around $60 per month. This is a much smaller cost than the $1 million dollars you would spend treating a severe heart attack, and in addition, leads to a MUCH better quality of life. So which path do you choose?
Also keep in mind the cost of UNHEALTHY HABITS! If you smoke, drink, or drink coffee at Starbuck's or other coffee houses, then factor these costs in when making a comparison. The $60 you would spend on your supplements could be easily compensated for by eliminating a few unhealthy habits. Then there is no additional monetary cost out of pocket. Who would turn down that offer?? I hope that's not you.
As always, if you have any questions or comments about this week's article, please feel free to send me a message. Until next week, do those things that will protect your health and the health of your family.
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