What Are the Dangers of an Unhealthy Diet?

Life isn't just about living long. It's about living well. But with all the demands on your time and the constant buildup of stress, sometimes it seems impossible to take care of yourself and exercise, or to simply watch your diet. But the effects of an unhealthy diet can, in the long run, greatly diminish the quality of life.

High Blood Pressure

• According to television personality and physician, Dr. Mehmet Oz, high blood pressure is "the leading cause of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, kidney failure and impotence." There are also many factors, like stress, which can affect blood pressure, as "being overweight directly leads to high blood pressure." When kidneys are constricted by fat, they become unable to do their job and regulate blood pressure. But if you drop weight, you can reduce blood pressure quickly. Too much salt and alcohol consumption greatly increase the risk of high blood pressure.

Cholesterol

• Often some of the tastiest food is the worst for your health. Foods like cake, eggs, steak and cheese are high in cholesterol, which, according to Dr. Mehmet Oz, can clog your arteries and lead to "heart attack, stroke memory loss, impotence, wrinkled skin." Cholesterol by itself isn't always bad, but the dangers of having too much can lead to serious health risks. Genetics does play a factor, but "your physical activity levels, poor food choices--trans and saturated fats, simple sugar, and too many calories--really dictate" the body's ability to keep your arteries from getting clogged.

Blood Sugar

• According the American Diabetes Association, "There are 23.6 million people in the United States, or 7.8 percent of the population, who have diabetes." And while diabetes does have genetic links, an unhealthy diet greatly increases your chances of developing diabetes. Sugary soda, desserts and snacks increase risks. With diabetes your body doesn't produce enough insulin, which keeps the level of sugar in normal range. Risks include heart disease, glaucoma, cataracts and other eye problems, problems with your feet, infections and nerve damage.

High Risk of Cancer

• Poor diets increase omentum fat, which is mostly stored in the belly, and according to Dr. Mehmet Oz, "The inflammation resulting from omentum fat also causes dysfunction in the system that protects you from cancer. In fact, there's a direct correlation between waist size and an increased risk of hormonally sensitive tumors, such as breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men."

Sleep Apnea

• According to Dr. Mehmet Oz, "Fat around your waist correlates with a thick neck" which can lead to an obstruction in your breathing. This can result in snoring, which "can cause permanent hearing loss." Sleep apnea restricts the amount of restorative REM sleep, causing the body to not get the proper amount of rest, which can lead to fatigue, high blood pressure and a higher risk of weight gain.