Polish Health
Maintaining your personal health is very important. Personal health depends partially on the social structure of ones life. The maintenance of strong social relationships is linked to good health conditions, longevity, productivity, and a positive attitude. This is due to the fact that positive social interaction as viewed by the participant increases many chemical levels in the brain which are linked to personality and intelligence traits. Physical exercise is considered important for maintaining physical fitness including healthy weight; building and maintaining healthy bones, muscles, and joints; promoting physiological well-being; reducing surgical risks; and strengthening the immune system. Exercising to improve physical fitness, especially cardiovascular fitness, boosts the immune system and increases stress tolerance. Chicago has a first world health care system with many doctors from Poland. In the United States health care in free clinics are offered to patients on a sliding scale based on their ability to pay. Care at regular medical offices requires insurance.
When considering a healthy diet one must weigh in the pros and cons of alcohol. Alcohol consumed in moderation is thought to help reduce the risk of heart disease. Indeed, alcohol consumption in conjunction with high intakes of fruit and vegetables may well explain the so-called 'French paradox'. The French diet is considered to be very high in fat, especially saturated fat, yet the death rate from coronary heart disease (CHD) remains relatively low. Red wine, in particular, also contains flavonoids that act as antioxidants, which help to reduce the build up of atherosclerosis (when fat builds up on the inner walls of arteries). Red wine seems to help maintain the flexibility of the blood vessel walls. On the other hand, drinking too much alcohol will not only leave you with a hangover the next day, but binge drinking and/or drinking more than the recommended intake on a regular basis can also cause long-term damage to the body's internal organs. Chronic alcohol use is one of the major causes of liver cirrhosis (irreversible scarring of the liver). This happens because healthy liver cells die and the dead cells are replaced by fibrous tissue. The liver plays a central role in many essential body functions including the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats, detoxification and excretion of waste products from the body. Scarred tissue cannot function like healthy tissue so this condition can be life threatening if not treated early enough. Stomach ulcers and gastrointestinal complications, as well as fertility problems, weight gain, and depletion of certain vitamins and minerals can all be caused by excessive alcohol consumption. Binge drinking can also increase blood pressure, a risk factor for heart attacks.
In regards to a healthy diet, proper nutrition is just as, if not more, important to health as exercise. When exercising it becomes even more important to have good diet to ensure the body has the correct ratio of macronutrients whilst providing ample micronutrients; this is to aid the body with the recovery process following strenuous exercise. When the body falls short of proper nutrition, it gets into starvation mode developed through evolution and depends on fat content for survival.
Polish Desserts
Browse our Polish dessert section for the tastiest treats.
Polish Soups
Visit our Polish soup section for wonderful soup recipes.
Polish Meats
Visit our Polish meats section for delicious dishes.
