In the course of the human life span, several changes occur in peoples health, due to a combination of genetic factors, lifestyle choices, environmental influences, medical and mental disease. There is a strong interest in identifying modifiable factors that can improve and maintain optimum health over the years. See Summary: Changes in Health Related to Aging

The focus has been shifting from only the cure of illness to prevention and encouraged the study of healthy lifestyle, balanced diet, exercise, avoiding smoking and substance use, healthy sleep habits, positive social relationships and treatment of medical and mental health conditions.

There is an interesting book published in 1934 by a pioneer of the Health Reform movement: Are Waerland : In the Cauldron of Disease, which raised concerns about the increasing excess consumption of sugar and denatured food product, and laid the early foundations of linking and diet and chronic illness.

In the last 20 years, there has been further per capita increase in consumption of sugars and processed foods in Europe and North America. There has now been more specific understanding of the underlying processes linking diet, lifestyle and chronic illness, the role of metabolic syndrome, and specific strategies strategies to mitigate impact of those factors. Two useful books, highlighting. those issues is by a doctor Robert H. Lustig: FAT Chance: Beating the Odds Against Sugar, Processed Food, Obesity, and Disease, a New York Times best seller, first published in 2012 and Metabolical: The Lure and the Lies of Processed Food, Nutrition, and Modern Medicine, published 2021.

There has been increased incidence of  Metabolic syndrome, which is a Constellation of Several Conditions that together increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, stroke, and cardiovascular problems, including heart attack. The features of metabolic syndrome are hypertension (high blood pressure), high blood sugar, dyslipidemia (abnormal levels of cholesterol and fat in the blood), and excess abdominal fat. Metabolic syndrome affects between 30% and 40% of adults by age 65. It is often asymptomatic and the diagnosis depends on blood tests and other clinical measures. Dietary and lifestyle changes are the first choice for treating metabolic syndrome, Medical symptoms may require medications. There may be Mental Health Symptoms as the condition worsens.

New research has shown that the most accurate Biomarker for Metabolic Syndrome and predictor of General Medical Health is Visceral or Abdominal Obesity including Non Fatty Liver Disease. Dr. Sean O’Mara Minnesota has utilized Abdominal MRI Scans for the identification of Visceral Obesity and has developed an effective treatment programs in his clinic to reverse some of the complications of Metabolic Syndrome. This involves Low Carbohydrate and High Protein Carnivore type Diet, and Peak Effort Exercise, that has resulted in unexpected findings and helped to develop effective treatment strategies with health benefits.