Health-Life

"I'm not the one who's naked."

In this chapter, I invite you to reflect on who you truly are, on the importance of your habits, and on the deep connection between mind and body. I encourage you to take care of yourself, to make conscious choices, and to cultivate a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.

Remember, health is a journey, not a destination. Every step, every small choice, every positive change brings you closer to a fuller, happier, more authentic, and longer life.

In a world obsessed with appearances, labels, and external judgment, we risk losing sight of our essence, our uniqueness. But who are we really?

We are a miracle of nature, a complex ecosystem of billions of cells, bacteria, viruses, and fungi working in synergy to keep us alive. We are a collection of chemical reactions, biological processes, and complex interactions that make us who we are.

We are not our clothes, our possessions, or how we want to appear. We are what we eat, the habits we cultivate, the life we live, and the addictions that bind us.

The concept to start from is that what each of us does in everyday life has a profound impact on health and quality of life in the short and long term.

It is widely documented by a vast range of scientific studies how our daily choices, ranging from diet to physical activity, from the use of tobacco and alcohol to the impact of harmful habits, have a significant influence on our health and well-being, both in the short and long term.

Although some researchers have dedicated their careers to the study of this discipline since the 1990s, it is only in recent times that a growing number of doctors, particularly specialists in cardiology, endocrinology and pulmonology, have begun to integrate the principles of lifestyle medicine into their daily clinical practice.

Adopting a healthy lifestyle approach, which includes a balanced diet, regular physical activity, adequate rest and effective stress management, can substantially reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases.

In-depth studies, such as those on cancer, highlight the close connection between mind and body, demonstrating how our habits and psychological well-being significantly influence health. In fact, a substantial part of the causes of serious diseases, such as cancer (between 60 and 80 percent), are related to modifiable factors through lifestyle interventions and stress management. (1-2)

Various studies, especially in animals, show that stress is a factor that can increase the risk of developing cancer. This correlation is partly explained by the action of cortisol, a hormone released in response to stress, which contributes to reducing the length of telomeres, protective structures of chromosomes. More and more scientific evidence gathered through studies on humans confirms the existence of a link between stress and cancer, supporting the results obtained in animal models. It is now widely recognized that mental health plays a crucial role in the fight against cancer. Depression and isolation, for example, can seriously compromise the chances of survival. (3-4-5-6)

Since the 1980s, research on the link between mental distress and cancer has made great strides, thanks to studies such as those of Dr. David Spiegel and Dr. I. Fawzy, which highlighted the positive impact of psychosocial interventions on the survival and prognosis of cancer patients. The holistic approach to health, which considers the person in their entirety, is gaining more and more ground, with promising developments in various areas of medicine and psychiatry. (7-8)

Our health and our survival are the result of a complex interaction between environmental factors and internal biochemical processes. What we introduce into our bodies through food, liquids and air, together with the impact of the environment that surrounds us, shapes our biology and influences our physical and mental well-being.

The holistic approach to health, which considers the person in their entirety, is proving fundamental to understanding and addressing the challenges of our time. Lifestyle medicine, with its focus on prevention and behavior change, offers valuable tools to improve quality of life and promote lasting well-being.

Taking care of oneself, through conscious choices and a constant commitment to a healthy lifestyle, is a valuable investment for the present and for the future.

Ref:

1 -The fraction of cancer attributable to lifestyle and environmental factors in the UK in 2010; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22158327/

2 -Psychological Stress and Cellular Aging in Cancer: A Meta-Analysis; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31814865/

3 -Chronic Stress Promotes Cancer Development; https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7466429/

4 -Cancer and stress: NextGen strategies; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33160090/

5 -Depression as a predictor of disease progression and mortality in cancer patients: a meta-analysis; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19753617/

6 -Associations of social networks with cancer mortality: A meta-analysis; https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2910231/

7 -Minding the body: psychotherapy and cancer survival; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23980690/

8 -Malignant melanoma. Effects of an early structured psychiatric intervention, coping, and affective state on recurrence and survival 6 years later; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8357293/

Studies on the Impact of Lifestyle on Health

• The Lancet: This prestigious medical journal has published numerous studies on the impact of lifestyle on health, including research on the importance of physical activity, diet, and stress management in the prevention of chronic diseases. You can find the articles here: https://www.thelancet.com/

• JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association): JAMA is another authoritative medical journal that publishes studies on various aspects of health, including the impact of lifestyle. You can access the articles here: https://jamanetwork.com/

• National Institutes of Health (NIH): The NIH is a US government agency that funds and conducts medical research. Their website offers a wide range of information on health and the importance of lifestyle. You can explore the resources here: https://www.nih.gov/

Studies on the Link Between Mind and Body and Cancer

• National Cancer Institute (NCI): The NCI has conducted various research studies on the link between psychological factors and cancer. You can find information and studies here: https://www.cancer.gov/

• American Cancer Society (ACS): The ACS offers resources and information on the role of stress and mental well-being in cancer. You can consult their articles here: https://www.cancer.org/

• PubMed: This database of scientific literature includes numerous studies on the link between mind and body and cancer. You can search using specific keywords, such as "stress and cancer" or "mental health and cancer." Here is the link: https://www.nih.gov/

Studies on the Impact of Stress on Cancer

• Cancer Research UK: This British organization has published several articles and studies on the role of stress in the development of cancer. You can find their resources here: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/

• MD Anderson Cancer Center: This US cancer center has conducted research on the link between stress and cancer, particularly on the role of cortisol and telomeres. You can find information about their studies here: https://www.mdanderson.org/

Studies on the Impact of Mental Distress on Cancer Survival

• Journal of Clinical Oncology: This medical journal publishes high-quality studies on oncology, including those on the link between mental health and cancer survival. You can access the articles here: https://ascopubs.org/journal/jco

• Psycho-Oncology: This scientific journal is dedicated to the study of the psychological aspects of cancer. You can find research on the link between mental distress and prognosis here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991611