No matter the topic or subject, this answer rings true.
October 22nd, 2020
While most of what I've learned in pharmacy school is buried somewhere deep in the abyss of my brain, one particular memory manages to stand out. Business Management was a mandatory course, and our professor said to us one day, "The answer to most things in life, is 'it all depends'."
While most of what I've learned in pharmacy school is buried somewhere deep in the abyss of my brain, one particular memory manages to stand out. Business Management was a mandatory course, and our professor said to us one day, "The answer to most things in life, is 'it all depends'."
As I continue to grow as a mother, a person, a pharmacist, and health professional, I've come to agree with this statement more often than not.
It depends. Do you have a medical condition such as heart failure where you need to be mindful of how much water you drink? Are you constantly on the move and exercise (and thus sweat) a lot? Do you drink anything else? While most of us have heard that we should drink 6-8 glasses of water, where did this number come from, and is this actually correct?
One study suggests that "A daily water intake of 3.7 L for adult men and 2.7 L for adult women meets the needs of the vast majority of persons." This translates into fourteen 8oz glasses for men, and ten 8oz glasses of water for women! This is way more than the generic '6-8 glasses of water a day' (and the size of a glass is quite subjective). One easy way to check whether you are drinking enough water is to look at your pee; if it's almost colourless, pale yellow, or light yellow - you are likely hydrated. However, we may each need to drink different amounts of water to get there.
Again, it all depends. Have you been diagnosed with high blood pressure? Are you taking medications for high blood pressure? Do you have other medical conditions such as a previous stroke or heart attack? Are you an older adult at risk for falls? Do you have diabetes or pre-diabetes? What may be a great target for a 40 year old male post-heart attack may be dangerous for an 80 year old frail woman who falls all the time.
You guessed it, it all depends. The human race has thrived on many different types of "diets" (ways of eating) that are wildly different. The Arctic Inuit traditionally ate a diet high in fat and animal products (e.g. whale, seal) with minimal vegetables and fruits, while the Kitavan Islanders in Papua New Guinea ate a predominantly higher carbohydrate diet consisting of tubers, fruits, fish, and coconut. This demonstrates that the body is highly adaptable as to what it can thrive on, but these foods should be whole foods that are minimally processed. The best way of eating is one that is sustainable in the long run, and changes over time to suit your body's needs.
It depends. What are your goals? Lose weight? General health? Improving physical performance? Body building competition? The best exercise depends on your goals, but should also capture your interest and be sustainable in the long run. The best exercise for your body and lifestyle in your 20s will probably differ than what your body needs in its 50s. Like I mentioned in a previous post, it's more important to have a mindset of movement throughout the day. CrossFit for a healthy 24 year old male? Lovely! CrossFit for my 85 year old grandmother would be asking for trouble.
Again, the answer is it all depends. Are you pregnant? Are you post-menopausal? What do you eat on a regular basis? Do you take any vitamins or supplements? Do you have any conditions (e.g. kidney disease) that would affect your Vitamin D levels? Have you had a previous fracture? Have you diagnosed with osteoporosis? These are just some of the questions that must be considered before we can answer this seemingly simple question.
There is a plethora of information available at your finger tips about every topic imaginable, including health and wellness! The great news is that there is all this free information that you can access if you take the initiative and do your research. However, there is also a lot of misinformation out there and differentiating truths, half-truths, and lies can be overwhelming and time consuming. Just remember that the answer is never that simple, and that "it all depends".
It may also be challenging to find information that is suited for you and not the general public. If you're interested in enriching your life with tailored recommendations, I'd love to work with you to reach your goals and transform your life.
Thanks for droppin' by! See you soon.
- Janet
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