Eating Healthy Can Prevent Accidents
- Posted on: Apr 1 2018
Dr. Jeff J. Mollins, Brooklyn’s most experienced accident specialist, strongly believes that “an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure”. Dr. Mollins is well aware that accidents (whether they are work accidents, car accidents, slip and falls, or construction accidents) will inevitably happen no matter how carefully an individual tries to prevent them. However, Dr. Mollins also knows that many accidents can be prevented. A major part of accident prevention is living a well balanced, healthy (both mentally and physically) lifestyle. Staying fit by exercising and eating a well balanced diet plays a vital part in accident prevention. Eating healthy isn’t always easy, but committing to a healthy diet can be one of the smartest decisions you ever make. Why? Not only can eating well make you look and feel better, it can also save you money on future health costs, and actually prevent accidents. The following are just some of the benefits of eating healthy: 
- Increase productivity – Like a car, your brain needs quality fuel to run efficiently. When it comes to your job, working more efficiently can help you earn more and make you less prone to having a work accident. Eating an unhealthy diet puts you at a 66% increase risk of productivity loss. A study in Journal of Occupation and Environmental Medicine found that an unhealthy diet represented the highest risk of low productivity.
- Save money on life insurance – If you’re shopping for life insurance, the life insurer will likely ask for permission to get your medical records, and may require a medical exam. You could face double the life insurance cost if you’re obese. Switching to a healthier diet and maintaining a good weight before you apply for a policy could significantly lower your cost.
- Enhance mood – What you eat has an important impact on your brain, including the parts that regulate mood. Maintaining stable blood sugar through regular, proper nutrition will help you feel better overall. Foods rich in vitamins and minerals, such as fruits, whole grains and vegetables have been associated with an overall lower risk of depression. Eating healthy can reduce stress too. When your body is in a chronic state of stress, it breaks down protein to prepare for battle, but certain foods have the ability to moderate the body’s level of cortisol, the stress hormone. Studies have found that consuming foods with omega-3 fatty acids and magnesium may help reduce cortisol levels. Eating a protein rich diet, including fish and dairy, can help replenish protein stores and keep cortisol levels low. A depressed worker is typically more distracted and prone to injury.
- Regulate weight – More than half of Americans are overweight or obese and obesity contributes to nearly 1 in 5 American deaths. Reducing your body weight can lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, and decrease the risk of Type 2 diabetes. Excessive body weight has been linked to work accidents as well.
- Be healthier – Eating right can improve health for even thin people who are junk food junkies. If you miss out on too much of the vitamins and minerals that your body needs, you can put yourself at risk for early death. A 2014 study published in the British Medical Journal found that eating at least 5 servings of fruit and vegetables per day was associated with lower risk of dying from any health related cause.
- Live longer – The same diseases that make you feel bad and cost a lot of money, may also lower your life expectancy. A diet of fruit and vegetables, in combination with exercise, was associated with extended life expectancy for women in their 70’s according to a study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Dr. Mollins knows that there is no way to eliminate accidents. However, by eating a proper diet, you will be leaner, feel better, move better, and be mentally more aware. All of these factors will certainly help in the prevention of accidents. If you are still unfortunate to sustain an accident, please contact Dr. Mollins as soon as possible. Dr. Mollins will get you back to wellness as expeditiously as possible.
Posted in: Auto Accident Doctor, Blog, Diagnostic Testing, Injury Treatment, Physical Examinations, Workers Compensation
