5 Habits That are MoreHarmful Than Smoking

JOHN PAUL RUNYON

Although smoking hasbeen crowned king when

it comes to causingcancer and other health

problems, there AREmany overlooked daily

habits that may actuallybe beating out smokingfor that honor. Many of

which have to dowith the preparation of

food.

Take a look at the 5habits that are more

harmful than smoking.

Long Periods of Sitting

Sitting for long periods oftime has proven to affectyour health in more ways

than you may think. Desk jobs,car rides and even sleepingfor too long are all on the

list of what not to do inorder to live a healthier life.New research suggests thatprolonged periods of sittinghave led to 30% more casesof cancer than smoking. Itmay be beneficial to take a

break at work and walkaround for a bit, or perhaps

switch to a standing desk forsome parts of the day.

Animal Protein DietsPeople who eat diets with

large amounts of meats andcheeses are subject to a

dangerous cancer causinghormone known as IGF-1. New

research from the University ofSouthern California suggeststhat people with a high intake

of meats and cheeses arealmost four times as likely todie of cancer. This research is

consistent with the cancerrate of smokers. It is important

to eat a well balanced dietfull of green vegetables andfruits. Plants are a great way

to get a normal protein intakebecause they have little to no

traces of IGF-1.

Natural Gas for CookingCarcinogens consistent with second hand smoke can be found in natural gas that is used worldwide forcooking. This includes Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen Dioxide and Formaldehyde all of which are slated as

extremely harmful to the human body. However, if you have access to nothing else besides natural gas just besure to cook in a well ventilated kitchen. Even using the back burners to cook can be effective in avoiding the

gas.

Tanning BedsThe use of a tanning bed is a clear cut no brainer in terms of cancer causing habits. Artificial and natural ultravioletlight exposure are known carcinogens and using them for beauty purposes is extremely harmful. Every year tanning

beds are linked to twice as many cases of lung cancer than smoking. That is a hefty price to pay for beauty. Why not trya spray tan or even a self tanning lotion. These are simple fixes to pale skin and they may just save your life. Also,

increasing your intake of carrots and tomatoes may provide you with the essential nutrients that will boost your skintone and make you feel healthier.

Cutting Back on SleepEveryday people cut back on their sleep for a variety of reasons. However what they do not know is sleepdeprivation is one of the leading causes of heart disease, obesity and many other health problems that

will increase your risk of developing cancers. Not getting enough sleep or having fragmented sleep mayincrease the growth of tumors accelerate certain types of cancers. Always allow for at least 6 to 7 hours

of sleep per night and if you cannot reach that quota, it may be necessary to see a health professional.