Healthy living preferred to daily dose of medicine

Dubai/Abu Dhabi: What has happened to the good old days when an apple a day used to be enough to keep the doctor away?

Apparently researchers say it is time to stop relying only on fruits to keep us healthy, and that it is high time to start incorporating a daily dose of medicine into our diet.

It was previously reported in The Lancet medical journal that healthy people who took aspirin reduced their risk of heart attack or stroke by almost 12 per cent.

In a Gulf News online poll, 53 per cent of respondents said they never take aspirin, 27 per cent use it only as a last resort, and 8 per cent have one every day. A minority of respondents, at seven per cent, said they only take it once a month and the remaining five per cent once a week.

Shaikh Arif Zain, 36, a computer engineer from India, said: "I drink a lot of fluids, like orange juice and water because it is important to keep yourself hydrated. Other than that, I do not do anything special. But I also keep myself fit by exercising and take a walk every day for half an hour in the evening."

Marwa Al Hussain, 27, a Palestinian homemaker, said: "I am completely against taking too much of medicine. So even if I knew about this study I would not have followed it. Even if I feel sick I stick to natural remedies until medicines are inevitable."

Rebecca Prelle, 25, a personal assistant from Germany, said: "I drink at least eight glasses of water a day and also drink a lot of green tea. I eat healthy and maintain a healthy diet, so I keep myself fit all year round. But recently I started engaging in sports to maintain my health by playing soccer and boxing."

Jenny Lyn Bathan, 29, a sales representative from the Philippines, said: "I prepare my own mango juice as an energy booster and have it three times a week. I also have a cocktail juice of watermelon, melon and apple every evening. I have always kept a healthy lifestyle as I avoid cigarettes and junk food. I am currently taking prenatal vitamins because I am three months pregnant and am also having extra fruit and milk."

Marianne Deaoa, 35, a French visual arts professional, said: "I would not suggest anyone to have an aspirin a day to reduce the risk of having a heart attack. I do not think any medication should be taken on a regular basis unless you really need it. It is probably a misconception if people are practicing it. As for me, I do not take nutritional supplements or follow any particular practices to improve my health."

Dennis Dizon, 39, a Filipino driver, said: "I drink plenty of water and juices but I am quite lazy and I know that I am not doing as much as I should to be healthy. I have tried to do some exercise but I only managed to keep it up for a few days and then I stopped, because it is difficult. It is too hot to walk these days, but when it gets cooler I plan to walk in the evening a few times every week."

Ameed Nizar, 29, a city operator at Abu Dhabi TV from Jordan, said: "I don't do anything special to avoid health problems. But I do try to eat right, especially during Ramadan. I have never heard about people taking aspirin to avoid heart attacks. It sure does not feel like the right thing to do. No medicines should be taken unless a health professional prescribes it to you."

Ela Kumar, 38, an Indian homemaker, said: "I feel it is absurd to go behind every new study because I often find that after a while some of these findings are proved incorrect. I try to stick to healthy practices and cuisine that have been part of our tradition for ages, as I feel they are more reliable."

Do you take medicines regularly? Are they prescribed by your physician? Or do you take them as a precaution?

Popping pills has become a trend now. I never take medicines unless it is absolutely necessary and that too as a last resort when home remedies fail to help. All medicines come with a side effect. It is better to have plenty of fruits and vegetables, homemade food, 8-10 glasses of water along with a daily walk/exercise routine. Being healthy largely depends on our lifestyle. It is better to make certain lifestyle changes rather than resorting to medicines. Medicines must be taken only when absolutely essential and in chronic cases.
Naina Nair
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: September 13, 2009, 07:38