What are the most common causes of death worldwide? And how can you avoid them?

Veröffentlicht am: August 01, 2024
Dr. med. Wolfgang  Bachmann
Dr. med. Wolfgang Bachmann

General practitioner

Attention, spoiler: All of us will die at some point. It is interesting to know what the statistics say we will die of.

The "Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation" regularly publishes a report on the most important causes of death and health risks in the world, the so-called "Global Burden of Disease" (GBD). This provides a direct insight into the health trends that our society is struggling with.

The good news?

Many countries are succeeding in saving lives better than ever before. This is particularly true for children under the age of 5.

The bad news? 

Obesity-related diseases are among the most common causes of death worldwide and the numbers are rising. Researchers are concerned about what the future holds.

 


 Nutrition plays a role in almost every 5th death!


What are the most common causes of death in the world?

Depending on the continent, mortality rates are distributed slightly differently. Cardiovascular diseases, tumors and infections are clearly in first place. The statistics are similar in Western Europe.

The highest mortality rates in Western Europe are among:

  1. Cardiovascular diseases
  2. Tumors
  3. Neurological disorders
  4. Infections of the respiratory system
  5. Diseases of the digestive system
  6. Diabetes 

Some causes and dangers are on the decline worldwide, such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and premature births. Other causes, however, such as secondary diseases caused by obesity, are on the rise.

Obesity and its consequences

According to researchers, obesity in particular is increasingly preventing people from leading a long and healthy life. There are many secondary diseases caused by obesity, such as heart problems or diabetes.

  • Obesity leads to heart disease:

In 2016, secondary diseases such as ischemic heart disease were the most common cause of death worldwide, accounting for almost 9.5 million people. Ischemic heart disease is also known as coronary heart disease. It is a condition that occurs when the arteries are damaged and blood, oxygen and nutrients can no longer be transported to the heart. Deposits in the arteries and inflammation are usually responsible for the damage and can lead to a heart attack if unobstructed access to the heart is not restored.


 Heart disease is already the most common cause of death worldwide


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  • Obesity leads to diabetes:

Diabetes was responsible for 1.4 million deaths, an increase of 31 percent compared to the previous year. This makes the metabolic disease the ninth leading cause of death in the USA, claiming more lives than AIDS and breast cancer combined.


 In Germany and Switzerland, diabetes is the 5th leading cause of death, in Austria even the 4th!


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However, the GBD authors are concerned about how quickly the rate of obesity is rising and how the effects of the disease are spreading to all socio-demographic levels - no one is immune.

So far, so good. But what do we do with this information now?

How you can avoid the most common causes of death worldwide

The report on the most common causes of death is not about pessimism. Nevertheless, obesity is a major problem, especially worldwide, as it is associated with many secondary diseases. However, most people can minimize the risk naturally and treat diseases.

The effort is worth it!

So how can we treat obesity, one of the leading causes of death worldwide?

Change your diet - in 3 steps

1. consume more healthy fats! 

People who want to lose weight often avoid fats - a serious mistake! A low-fat diet usually involves consuming even more foods that contain a higher proportion of sugar or refined grains.

Healthy fats - especially the essential omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA - not only contribute to a greater feeling of satiety, but are also full of important nutrients. Healthy fats also help the body to absorb vitamins better and balance hormones. "Natural" is the key word in this context. Foods such as avocados, butter from pasture milk, coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil and omega-3 fatty acids from wild salmon, for example, contribute to weight loss and help to lower high cholesterol levels.

Healthy fats can reduce inflammation, which has additional negative consequences. This is because age-related diseases such as arthritis/arthritis, Alzheimer's or cancer are fueled by inflammation.

Tip: Try a diet low in carbohydrates but high in fat. A ketogenic diet has been shown to offer more protection against cardiovascular disease.

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2. avoid sugar and ready-made products! 

Even if we repeat ourselves: refined sugar in all its various forms and industrially processed foods are two of the biggest enemies of our bodies. Sugar destroys our health because it leads to obesity and increases our risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, leaky gut syndrome, inflammation and certain cancers.

Unfortunately, hidden sugar is found in many products: granola bars, low-calorie drinks, fruit yogurt, condiments and many restaurant dishes. Avoiding processed foods will automatically eliminate many of these unexpected sources of sugar from your diet. This will significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to one of the leading causes of death.

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3. eat more fiber-rich foods! 

Of course, there are also products that are enriched with fiber, but it is better to get them from natural sources. Fiber-rich foods contribute to healthy digestion, regular bowel movements and blood sugar control. Some of the best high-fiber foods include avocados, berries, peas, black beans and nuts.

Tip: To boost your digestion even more, take probiotics. This will also strengthen your immune system.

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  Almost 1/4 of deaths in Western Europe are due to coronary heart disease or a heart attack!


 

Obesity is undoubtedly one of the most worrying and leading causes of death worldwide, and one that we can do something about ourselves. Pay attention to your diet - it will be worth it!

Concluding remarks 

  • Researchers have identified obesity as one of the main causes of death in the world. In particular, they are concerned about how quickly obesity and associated secondary diseases are spreading in all population groups.
  • You will be doing your health a big favor if you reduce your own risk of obesity. This can be achieved with a change in diet, more exercise and preventive check-ups for developing heart disease.

 

Sources (in English):

The Lancet – GBD Compare. Verfügbar unter: [https://www.thelancet.com/lancet/visualisations/gbd-compare]