Archive for November 28th, 2007
I know at times it seems that my agenda is more focused on obesity than helping people who are overweight find affordable life insurance. My goal has always been to help people with weight issues become educated on how life insurance underwriters look at obesity which is directly linked to how obesity effects health.
I think it is important for people to understand that life insurance underwriters are not just looking at a build chart and using higher rates to punish pounds. As we have discussed many times in this forum, the earlier an obesity problem arises and the longer it goes on, the more it wears on the body parts and functions.
We have covered many times how obesity puts people at a much higher risk of having diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. A new report should come as no surprise since it is ultimately our skeletal system that has to support the weight. While there doesn’t appear to be any adverse impact on the relative strength of the bones between normal weight and obese people, it does appear that the overweight study group didn’t have the bone mass in comparison to muscle mass that the slimmer study group had.
This seems to be triggered by the fact that bone cells and fat cells are produced from the same source and that in overweight people, the production of fat cells may get in the way of producing adequate bone cells.
Bottom line. No one is saying skinny is better, but let’s not mince words. Obesity has adverse impacts on health, life style, mortality and life insurance rates at every turn. Knowledge is power and sometimes knowledge is the nudge we need to take action.
November 28th, 2007
In case no one has noticed, I occasionally offer my opinion, my take on a real life issue.
The truth is that about 5% of overweight people that inquire about life insurance actually buy it. Most will never return a call after they have seen the quotes that their build generates. They don’t want to deal with the idea that their weight has a bearing on their health and very likely on their mortality.
They know why the rates are higher and yet they never call to see what the options are or how much insurance they can have without busting their budget. I’ve always maintained that if you don’t qualify for what you want within your budget, buy as much as you can within your budget and then work on the problem that created the higher rates.
Burying your head in the sand is not going to help your family when you have a heart attack and die.
Bottom line. Life insurance rates are higher, for good reason, for people who are overweight or obese. Life insurance is still available though. There is simply a time to look beyond the next meal to what your responsibility to your family really is.
November 28th, 2007
The Prostate Cancer Foundation has an annual scientific retreat where the top research scientists get together and review and summarize the major breakthroughs of the year. The Foundation provided a summary this week that, thank you, offered the summaries in language that would excite a scientist, and a separate summary that helps us normal folks understand what the heck they were trying to say.
Just a few of the highlights that I believe we can draw hope from was the discovery of chromosomal fusion. In a nutshell, knowing that this DNA change takes place at the very beginning of the formation of prostate cancer may offer new ways to test for early onset. Previously we had to wait until there was some change in the PSA and often, by the time the PSA showed a significant enough change to warrant further testing, the cancer was advanced. By testing for chromosomal fusion, tests such urinalysis could be used to determine if any DNA shifting had occurred.
While the conclusion was that further study is needed, there is growing evidence that lifestyle may play a key role, and specifically the way food is prepared. Our Cajun friends will not be happy with this, but it seems there is a link between charred (blackened) meats that cause a major dietary cancer-causing chemical (carcinogen) called PhiP, to settle in the prostate.
And finally, nanotechnology, the microscopic delivery of cancer fighting drugs to nano specific areas is gaining momentum. Each new step that can help deliver the needed drug to the specific target is a step toward improved treatment and ultimately improved success.
Bottom line. Prostate cancer detected early and treated correctly is ultimately survivable. These scientific breakthroughs are great news for the 1 in 6 men who develop prostate cancer, and for every prostate cancer survivor who seeks fair life insurance rates.
November 28th, 2007
