The Top Causes of Death in the United States and What You Can Do About Them

Of all the causes of death in the United States of America, just 5 account for over 70% or 7 out of every 10 deaths. Of these, just two, heart disease and cancer, account for over half of all deaths in the country. This trend has persisted for many years. Below are details regarding the causes of these fatalities and the lifestyle choices you can make to help avoid them.

#1: Heart Disease

• High Cholesterol - Eat foods low in cholesterol, and foods which naturally lower your blood cholesterol.
• High blood pressure - Find a form of regular exercise which increases your heart rate and do 20 minutes daily. Reduce intake of salt (sodium).
• Smoking - Stop smoking, or reduce regularity.
• Insulin resistance - Reduce intake of refined sugars and syrups. Including brown sugar and evaporated cane juice.
• Diabetes - For about 10% of the population diabetes is genetic and currently incurable, however for the other 90% lifestyle changes like not over-eating and avoiding refined sugars can help.
• Overweight or obesity - Adopt a form of exercise and eat less.
• Lack of physical activity - Find a daily form of exercise which increases your heart rate and stick to it.
• Age - Support research in the science of aging which can create therapies to help mitigate or eliminate the deleterious effects of aging.
• Family history of early heart disease - Your risk increases if your father or a brother was diagnosed with CAD before 55 years of age, or if your mother or a sister was diagnosed with CAD before 65 years of age. The best you can do here is strenuously adopt all of the lifestyle changes above.
• Sleep apnea - Talk to your doctor about medication.
• Stress - Adopt an exercise like yoga, and cultivate stress reducing activities and hobbies.
• Excessive alcohol consumption - Do not consume more than two drinks a day.

#2: Cancer
Exact risk factors for cancer are still being refined, but in general you could say

• Poor diet - Eat more fiber, and more fruits and vegetables.
• Lack of exercise - Find a form of exercise and stick to it everyday!
• Smoking - Stop smoking, or reduce regularity.
• Genetics - Know your family history and strenuously adopt the lifestyle recommendations listed above.
• Sun Exposure - Apply sunscreen before long periods of sun exposure.

#3: Stroke
The risk factors and lifestyle changes for stroke are the same as the list for heart disease above.

#4: Accidents

• Motor Vehicle Accidents - The leading cause of death in the category most motor vehicle accidents can be avoided by not drinking and driving, or driving on "party nights" (weekends and holidays)
• Falls - Occurs mainly for people over 80 years old with osteoporosis
• Poisoning
• Drowning
• Exposure to smoke, fire, flames
• Complications of medical/surgical care
• Accidental Discharge of firearms

#5: COPD or CLRD (Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema)

• Smoking - Stop smoking, or reduce regularity
• Workplace - If you are in a job where you inhale large amounts of dust (i.e. mining) ask or encourage the owner to use air filters. You can also wear a mask.
• Air pollution - A stigma of where you live. Either move or stay indoors when smog levels are at their worst.
• Genetics - Be aware of who has COPD in your family, and then be sure to stay away from second hand smoke and other forms of air pollution.
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