Expert Medical Guide: Essential Habits for a Long and Healthy Life
Leading medical experts share crucial insights on preventing heart disease, cancer, and diabetes through lifestyle adjustments, early detection, and mental health awareness.
Experts from various medical fields share essential advice for long and healthy lives, covering heart disease prevention, cancer detection, and mental health.
Heart Health: Early Balance Is Key
Dr. Erez Levy, head of the Heart Disease Prevention and Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit at Ichilov Medical Center, notes that while the fundamentals of a healthy lifestyle—balanced nutrition, physical activity, non-smoking, and blood pressure control—are well known, cardiovascular health must be viewed through the modern concept of 'cumulative load.' No risk factor operates in a vacuum: a night of fragmented sleep, prolonged stress, or extended sitting leaves a cumulative biological mark on the heart. Conversely, positive changes like adding 2,000 steps a day or improving sleep quality also have a cumulative protective effect.
The foundations of heart health are laid in our twenties and thirties. Because atherosclerosis is a slow process, exposure duration to risk factors is as critical as their severity. Cardiology today discusses 'cholesterol years' and 'blood pressure years': an individual experiencing moderate yet prolonged elevation over 30 years may face a far higher risk than someone with a recent sharp spike. Early balance is critical.
Sleep Health: Snoring as a Warning Sign
Dr. Roni Farber, head of public health services at Pami, emphasizes that sleep apnea is much more than mere snoring. Often dismissed as a partner's nuisance, snoring can signal obstructive sleep apnea—a systemic condition where breathing repeatedly stops during the night, elevating risks for hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cognitive impairment. Symptoms extend beyond snoring to morning headaches, daytime fatigue, frequent nighttime urination, and difficulty concentrating.
Cancer Prevention and Lifestyle Factors
Dr. Maya Gottfried, head of the Oncology Institute at Meir Medical Center (Clalit Group), points out that while not all cancers are preventable, lifestyle habits significantly impact risks. Avoiding smoking, engaging in regular physical activity, and adopting a balanced diet are among the most crucial steps. Smoking remains a major proven risk factor not only for lung cancer but for others as well. Furthermore, Professor Shai Kivity, head of the Rheumatology Institute at Meir Medical Center, notes that smoking and obesity drastically increase risks for inflammatory joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and psoriatic arthritis.
Clinical Nutrition Guidelines
Clinical nutritionist Olga Raz advises avoiding all types of sugars (white, brown, fructose, glucose, agave, and silan) and minimizing animal fats and ultra-processed foods, which elevate cholesterol and contribute to fatty liver disease. Instead, she recommends using olive or canola oil, eating small meals every 3 to 4 hours, and basing nutrition on complex carbohydrates such as whole grain bread and legumes.
Mental Health and Breaking Stigma
Dr. Iris Cohen Yavin, a psychiatrist at Maccabi Healthcare Services, highlights that chronic mental disorders like anxiety, OCD, depression, and PTSD are increasingly prevalent, exacerbated by ongoing security events. Adequate and early multidisciplinary treatment—including psychiatric follow-up, emotional therapy, and modern pharmacotherapy—greatly improves functioning. Public awareness and eradicating social stigma are vital to encouraging early help-seeking behavior.
Diabetes and Gastrointestinal Health
Professor Naim Shehada, head of diabetes and obesity at Maccabi Healthcare Services in The North and president of the Israeli Diabetes Association, stresses that routine blood sugar checks, balanced nutrition, and avoiding sedentary habits can effectively manage and prevent diabetes. Additionally, Dr. Sharon Pelos, head of gastrointestinal tumors at Ichilov Medical Center, notes that over 50% of gastrointestinal cancers are preventable through healthy lifestyles and early screenings. She urges the public never to ignore early warning signs, emphasizing that early detection saves lives.
