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January
3, 2006
Vol. 2, Issue 1
Lower
Lifetime Medical Expenses
By
combining a lower-cost high
deductible health insurance plan with tax-deductible
HSA deposits, Health Savings Accounts reward consumers
with lower health insurance premiums and reduced taxes.
The money can then be withdrawn tax-free to pay any
medical expenses. But the biggest benefits accrue
to those who let their HSA funds grow tax-deferred.
By taking pro-active steps to stay healthy as you
age, you can dramatically reduce the odds that you
will need to withdraw your HSA funds to pay medical
expenses. Imagine kicking off your retirement
in great health, with a chunk of money sitting in
your Health Savings Account!
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Health
of an Average American
The health
status of the average person declines rapidly as they age.
About 70% of Americans have at least one symptom of metabolic
syndrome, including high blood pressure, high triglycerides
or cholesterol, gout, heart disease, diabetes, and cancers
of the breast, prostate, and colon.
By
the time they are 45 years old, over half of all Americans
are on some regular prescription medication. Approximately
half of all men are also showing signs of erectile dysfunction
by this time, and about 45% of the population has fatty liver
disease. Other than pain medications, the most commonly prescribed
drugs for individuals in this age group are antacids, antidepressants,
and drugs to control blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol.
These are all signs that things are not moving in the right
direction.
By
age 65, over 85% are afflicted with at least one degenerative
disease. Two-thirds will have high blood pressure. Over 80%
will have taken at least one prescription medication in the
past month, and nearly half are on three or more prescriptions
during any given month. Over half of all women in this age
group have experienced or will experience a fracture due to
osteoporosis.
By
age 75, those that are still around are often on five
or more medications. They typically have weakened immune systems,
and their risk for cancer has gone up dramatically. Many have
experienced years of hypertension, obesity, insulin resistance,
a sedentary lifestyle, and inadequate nutrition. Since these
are all risk factors for dementia, some experts estimate that
30% or more will come down with Alzheimer's or some other
form of senility. A low quality of life is pretty typical.
Prevention is Key
The good
news is that the vast majority of all this pain, suffering,
and expense is preventable.
- Cancer:
Researchers
from the National Cancer Institute believe that 80-95%
of all cancer cases are due to environmental and lifestyle
causes, and are thus preventable. Diet may be involved in
at least half of all cancers, and one third of all cancers
are linked to obesity.
- Dementia:
According to Mark Houston, M.D., Medical Director at the
Hypertension and Vascular Biology Institute at Saint Thomas
Hospital and Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, 95%
of all dementia is preventable with a lifestyle approach.
- Heart
disease: 90% - 99% of all heart disease may be preventable.
A recent study published in the British Medical Journal
estimates a 75% reduction in cardiovascular disease can
be attained simply by eating a diet which includes red wine,
fish, dark chocolate, fruits and vegetables, garlic, and
almonds on a regular basis.
- Diabetes:
Harvard University's Walter Willet has estimated that
92% of type-2 diabetes is preventable.
Lifestyle Strategies for 2006
Many people
have a difficult time taking action now to prevent a problem
that seems to be in the distant future, whether that be saving
for retirement or avoiding the degenerative diseases of aging.
Fortunately, most HSA owners tend to be forward-thinking people
who do take responsibility for their finances and their health.
If this describes you, below are the lifestyle practices that
will do the most to prevent disease and premature death.
- Maximize
consumption of disease-preventing phytochemicals by eating
a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Virtually every
day newly discovered plant chemicals from blueberries, garlic,
beets, grapes, apples, and other plant foods are found to
have health-promoting properties. Specific compounds currently
being studied for their preventive effects on cancer, heart
disease, dementia, and other health problems include hydroxytyrosol
from olives, epigallocatechin-3 gallate from green tea,
and D-glucarate and sulforaphane from broccoli. The best
way to up your consumption of vegetables is to add large
salads to your diet on a regular basis. (And don't bother
counting potatoes when looking at your own vegetable intake.)
- Reduce
inflammation by consuming a diet low in omega-6 fat, and
high in omega-3 fat. Inflammation is involved in cardiovascular
disease, cancer, arthritis, and most other degenerative
diseases. The average American is in a constant state of
low-grade inflammation because of the foods they eat. Omega-6
fats, which increase inflammation in the body, are found
in vegetable oils such as corn oil or sunflower oil, and
in meat from animals fed corn diets. Omega-3 fats, which
reduce inflammation, are found in fish and wild game. In
addition to eating wild cold-water fish a couple times per
week, the easiest approach is to take a high-quality fish
oil supplement. Inflammation is reduced within hours of
consuming fish oil.
- Lower
circulating insulin by sharply limiting consumption of high-glycemic
starchy foods. Sugar, white potatoes, and most foods
made from grains (including bread, rice, pasta, granola,
cereal, and pancakes) cause a rapid rise in blood sugar
and insulin every time they're eaten. This results in higher
triglyceride levels, lower HDL (good cholesterol) levels,
and an increased risk for heart disease, high blood pressure,
and diabetes.
- Maintain
cell membrane fluidity by avoiding all hydrogenated fats.
These altered fat molecules are found in most packaged foods
and most fried restaurant foods, including French fries.
Eat them and they end up in your cell membranes. They raise
LDL (bad) cholesterol levels more than any food known, and
also appear to increase the risk of many cancers, diabetes,
and the leading cause of blindness, macular degeneration.
- Maintain
muscle and bone mass, and metabolic fitness by exercising
regularly. Weight lifting and aerobic exercise are strongly
protective against cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and
dementia, in addition to helping prevent loss of bone (osteoporosis)
and muscle (sarcopenia).
In 2028
I will turn 65 years old. If all goes as planned, I expect
to have over $400,000 in my Health
Savings Account by that time. But prevention of chronic
disease is a key part of my strategy. Taking out just $200
per month to cover doctor visits and prescription drugs would
reduce my total accumulation to less than $250,000.
Now is
the time to make your 2006 resolutions, so it's a good time
to reassess your own health habits. The above list will give
you an excellent start.
If you're
in good health and plan to stay that way, then an HSA is definitely
the smartest way to insure yourself against unexpected medical
expenses. If you do not yet have an HSA-qualified health insurance
plan, please email us at info@HSAforAmerica.com,
and let us know when would be a good time to discuss your
situation.
To your
health and wealth,
Wiley
Long
President - HSA
for America
P.S. Next month I'll tell you about a special test of
your red blood cells called the Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acid
Profile. It is not covered by health insurance, but can be
paid for from your HSA. Research shows that having the right
score (easily obtained via diet and fish oil supplements)
can reduce your risk of sudden cardiac death by 90%.
Subscribe
to Maximize Your HSA
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