Food vs Drugs

Question
Yes mam, thank you for your time. This may sound like a very simple question. May sound even silly, but with your education I am confident you know the science behind my question. I know people personally who are 60 years old, 83 years old, 90 years old and people in there 40's who have used drugs and smoked all there life. They have drank and are adicted to alcohol. Now these people are living a long time. I understand that most may not but some do. But on the other hand people are dying at 20 years old from eating unhealthy and a sedintary lifestyle. So my question is why does it seem like eating a burger and a milk shake will kill you faster than hard drugs and alcohol.  And by the statistics it may not be that way. But it just seems that way. I know these people. I know genetics plays a role too. It just seems like hard drugs and alcohol is bad, but don't eat mcdonalds or you will die. lol see where I am going with that.

Answer
Hi Josh,

Interesting question. Well, there are all sorts of factors that come into play regarding how long someone will live. You are right--some people smoke and drink and live to be 100. Others can drop dead of a heart attack during a morning jog when they are just 50.
Genetics plays a big part. And also total lifestyle. Some people who smoke may also exercise and eat well and have a happy life with a lot of social support.

Some people get regular healthcare visits and take medicine for any conditions they have.
What I see in the hospital where I work is lots and lots of people who don't take care of themselves. Sometimes there is a person who takes good care and gets heart disease anyway.
But most of the time people who I see over and over again have diabetes or heart disease and constantly ignore their doctor's advice for medication, lifestyle changes, and dietary recommendations.

I have never seen someone in their 20's die of sedentary lifestyle and diet. I have seen people get diabetes in their 20's, though, for those reasons. And I have seen alcoholics get liver disease in their 30's. And I have seen drug addicts get heart disease in their 40's.Then, if they don't change they have an increased chance of dying from complications when they are fairly young--but usually that means 50's, and not a whole lot younger.

I think hard drugs is the fastest way to die, especially if there is a sudden overdose. Alcohol is a more slow and painful demise.   Milkshakes and burgers builds up for a heart attack much more gradually over many decades.  

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