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Preventative Healthcare is an Important Part of Alan Fine’s
National Healthcare Strategy
On Saturday, August 26, after
an interview at AM1280 the Patriot, Alan Fine (Republican
endorsed 5th District candidate for U.S.
Congress) noticed that an announcer was doing pull-ups at
the Marine Booth next door. Alan proceeded to do 16
pull-ups and received a Marine cap and a round of applause
from the crowd. One of the marines said, “Not bad for an
old man. You beat the number that we could do.”
Subsequently, one of the Patriot radio show
announcers candidly remarked that "Alan Fine will challenge
the DFL 5th District winner to a pull-up competition."
Alan is an avid U.S. Masters
swimmer and fitness enthusiast. He has been learning from
medical specialists and fitness enthusiasts for years about
diet and exercise regimen refinement. Moreover, Alan has
two brothers, a foster brother, a sister-in-law, a nephew
and a niece who are doctors and one who is a physician’s
assistant. The healthcare discussion has been one around
the family dinner table for decades.
Alan is concerned about the
sedentary lifestyle of Americans and the widespread problem
of obesity in this country. He recognizes the toll that it
is taking on the quality of life for many Americans as well
as the burden it is having on our healthcare system. As
part of his national healthcare strategy, he believes that
preventative healthcare is critical to improving the quality
of life of our citizens and in bringing down dramatically
our nation’s health care costs. Aside from engaging in
at least 30-60 minutes of low impact exercise per day, Alan
is a big proponent of a healthy diet and proper rest.
In his book, “Empower Your
Self: A Framework for Personal Success” Alan devotes much
discussion to these topics. He discusses the importance of
a consistent and sound sleep, diet and exercise regimen as
critical components to building long-term health. (he even
includes Guidelines for Personal Exercise Programs
developed by the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and
Sports)
Regarding adequate rest, Alan
Fine has learned, firsthand, from specialists in sleep
medicine and has been enlightened through that work to this
important, but oftentimes overlooked, component to fitness:
“Sleep is not merely a ‘time out’ from daily
life. It is an active state essential for mental and
physical restoration. More than 100 million Americans of
all ages, however, regularly fail to get a good night’s
sleep." (See footnote 1)
“Some 84 disorders of sleeping and waking result in
diminished quality of life and personal health, and endanger
public safety through their contribution to traffic and
industrial accidents. These disorders include those leading
to problems falling asleep and staying asleep, difficulties
staying awake or adhering to a consistent sleep/wake cycle,
sleepwalking, bedwetting, nightmares, and other problems
that interfere with sleep. Some sleep disorders are
potentially fatal." (See footnote 2)
“Even though snoring continues to e a problem for a large
segment of the population, most people view it as a subject
for jokes or insults and do not consider it an important
health problem. Over eighty percent of the people with
snoring and sleep apnea conditions have not been identified,
evaluated or treated. These individuals are very tired
during the daytime which is causing reduced productivity at
work and a serious safety problem on our highways." (See
footnote 3)
In the Fall of 2005, Alan
wrote the following article on diet which was published
on the U.S. Master’s swimming website on the simple and
common sense nutrition plan that he advocates:
Diet is a very important
component to fitness. And like exercise, there is a
long-term cumulative impact on our bodies. Here are a few
hints that may be helpful to you. Partially hydrogenated
oils clog arteries. Avoid foods that contain partially
hydrogenated oils. They are used in many processed foods
because they increase shelf life. Read the labels carefully.
Tomatoes are high in lycopene which is heart healthy. Olive
oils are high in monounsaturated fats as is peanut oil. So
are avocados. Foods high in monounsaturated fats are good
for you. The enzyme in the skin of dark grapes is heart
healthy. Avoid white bread, white rice, white pasta (tends
to elevate cholesterol). Instead, eat whole wheat bread,
brown rice, whole wheat pasta.
Foods that are high in fiber like oatmeal are very good for
you. Egg whites are a pure healthy form of protein and are
highly nutritious. Skim milk is great, but watch the sugar.
Green vegetables are very good for you and can make a great
snack. Fresh fruit is good for you, but watch the sugar.
Regarding alcohol, remember that your body needs to expel
the alcohol before your body can begin processing calories.
If you drink a lot of beer...carbs and alcohol...it is a
great product for keeping that spare tire around the waist
or the saddlebags on the hips. Avoid foods that are high in
saturated fat. Red meats and cheese dishes are very high in
saturated fat. Healthier forms of protein include fish,
chicken (without the skin), beans. Can't say enough good
things about soy! Lastly, remember, everything in moderation
and focus on natural foods. If you eat processed foods, read
the label carefully. Hope this is helpful.
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