problems since it is high in fat, salt, sugar, and low in fibre, and vital nutrients. Poor die-
tary habits combined with lack of exercise and high stress have been related to obesity,
coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Thus, the dietary guidelines
and recommendations usually suggest to: eat a variety of foods; choose a diet with
plenty of fruits, vegetables, grain, milk products to reduce the risk of heart diseases and
stroke; choose a diet low in fat, cholesterol, with moderate sugar foods, salt and sodium;
avoid alcohol. However, food and proper eating habits cannot make a person truly
healthy. Exercise is also fundamental in maintaining a healthy body and active lifestyle.
Apart from physical benefits, exercise gives a person a greater sense of well-being, in-
creases one s self-esteem, thanks to it anxiety and depression are decreased. Regular
exercises: prevent heart diseases, normalize blood pressure, regulate glucose level in
the blood, prevent bone mineral loss, support body structure, promote weight loss and
flexibility. It is important, however, not to start off too fast or too hard since overdoing
exercising is likely to cause the feeling of discouragement, strains, pain, or injuries. Fi-
nally, being active involves not only regular exercises, but also changing everyday hab-
its, such as: taking stairs instead of lifts, walking or cycling instead of driving, going for
walks instead of watching TV, and having an active social life.
1. What is a healthy lifestyle?
2. What are the most important components of a healthy lifestyle?
3. What can improper diet result in?
4. What are the most common dietary guidelines?
5. What are the advantages of regular exercising?
Exercise 2: Discuss the following points in pairs or in small groups:
" Is your lifestyle healthy? Think about the components presented in the text?
" Do you always follow advice concerning healthy eating? Why (not)?
" Do people in Poland generally live a healthy lifestyle? Why (not)? Are we in
any way different from other nationalities?
" What is a role of a family doctor in promoting a healthy lifestyle?
62
" Is doctors lifestyle healthy? Are bad habits such as smoking common among
doctors? Why (not)?
Exercise 3: Vitamins are good for your health, however taking too much can
actually be dangerous. The trick is sorting out who should take vitamin sup-
plements to avoid illness and for whom it is unnecessary.
A: Match the people on the left with suggested supplements on the right:
A daily vitamin supplement is part of routine care.
Perimenopausal Probably the most important component is folic acid
women (or folate), which can markedly reduce the risk of
certain birth defects (including neural tube defects).
Folic acid is recommended, especially for those with
Vegetarians
elevated homocysteine levels.
Extra vitamin C and folic acid may reduce the risk of
disease. In addition, such people are more prone to
Pregnant women
thiamin (vitamin B1), pyridoxine (vitamin B6) and
riboflavin deficiencies.
Because poor nutrition is common in this group, a
multivitamin is often recommended to prevent com-
The elderly
plications from deficiencies in vitamin D and B vita-
mins.
A multivitamin is recommended because certain vi-
Smokers and tamins, such as B12, are available only from animal
heavy alcohol sources. Strict vegans are particularly at risk. Ribo-
drinkers flavin (vitamin B2), vitamin D and vitamin A are also
concerns for those avoiding meat or animal products.
People with Vitamin D (along with calcium) is recommended to
cardiovascular prevent osteoporosis and other bone disease.
disease
B: Match the potential consequences of a megadose vitamin therapy with the
vitamins on the left:
Vitamin A kidney stones, kidney failure, weak muscles, bone
pain, loss of appetite
Vitamin D a flushing sensation, diarrhea, vomiting and liver
damage
Vitamin B3 (niacin) nerve damage
Vitamin B6 headaches, liver damage, blindness, bone fractures
and death
Vitamin C headaches, diarrhea and kidney stones
Exercise 4: Writing. Follow the tasks below:
" Write a letter / an e-mail asking for a certificate confirming your participation in
a medical training / internship in a medical centre abroad.
" In a form of a short letter / an e-mail thank for the possibility of your participa-
tion in a medical training / internship in a medical centre abroad.
63
31. REFERENCES
1. Aleksandrowicz, R., Mały Atlas Anatomiczny, Wydawnictwo Lekarskie PZWL,
Warszawa 1994.
2. Collin, P.H., Słownik Medycyny, Peter Collin Publishing & Wydawnictwo Wilga,
Warszawa 2001.
3. Encyklopedia of Medicine, Random Mouse, New York, 1989.
4. Glendinning, E.H., English in Medicine, Cambridge University Press, New
York, 2000.
5. Kelley, W.N., Textbok of Internal Medicine Volume I and II, J.B. Lippincott
Company Philadelphia, New York 1989.
6. Kumar and Clark, Clinical Medicine. A Textbook for Medical Students and [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]