There is an old saying that an “ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. Preventative medicine has become common practice these days. We know we need to have our cholesterol and blood pressure checked regularly. We schedule our colonoscopies, bone density scans and mammograms every few years. But what really constitutes “preventative” care and are we really doing all we can to prevent illness?

As a society we tend to focus on sick care, not health care. Most of our health care dollars go toward treating the disease once it has taken hold. This becomes a very costly way of achieving and maintaining health. As well, in modern medicine a lot of emphasis is put on “preventative care”, which is most often simply early disease detection. Although this is important our real focus should be on staying healthy and preventing disease before it occurs.

The cost of modern medicine in America ranks among the highest in all developed countries while our health ranks among the lowest. We have expensive drugs and treatments to deal with many diseases that can be attributed to poor lifestyle choices. Many people, despite the wealth of this country do not have adequate health insurance coverage and are only one health crisis away from bankruptcy. Their years of savings and planning for retirement can be wiped out in a moment.

There are many things that can be done to ensure a healthy future. Many of these things are not expensive, especially when one considers the cost both physically and financially of neglecting to make these changes. Where we spend our money is our choice and many people spend more money on their cars and other material items then they do on their wellbeing. We must invest in our own health with true preventive measures to ensure we do not face a financial and health care crisis.

A healthy lifestyle is your key to longevity. Begin with your diet and learn to see food as your medicine. Eat the right foods including plenty of fresh, locally grown, organic fruits and vegetables. As well, your meat sources should be locally grown grass‐fed or wild game. Ensure you get plenty of fresh, spring water every day. Limit the amount of sugar and processed food in your diet. Avoid poisons such as hydrogenated oils, artificial sweeteners, and chemical additives at all costs.

Maintain your body with physical activity, keep your mind sharp and maintain healthy social relationships. Work with your physician to understand why your body became sick in the first place, and better yet how to keep it healthy – because an ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure!!