Good health is the backbone of everything that we do, and no amount of money can buy it. This is why being healthy is your biggest asset. Unfortunately, our health is as fragile as it can be. And it's scary because there are many seemingly harmless things we do every day that are damaging to our health. Knowing what these are and avoiding them can potentially prolong our lives. Here is a list of things that could make you sick and how to avoid them.

1. Ingesting Glyphosate

Grain and soy products are generally considered healthy foods. However, this is not necessarily true. Today, most crops in the US, such as soybean and corn, are sprayed with glyphosate. This chemical, which is popularly marketed as "Roundup", is a powerful weed killer. However, glyphosate is a known microbiome disruptor and a possible carcinogen. Animal products aren't safe either if the animals were fed with plant matter sprayed with the herbicide. Growing your food, buying organic, and shopping, locally produced foods can help you avoid ingesting glyphosate.

2. Poor Sleeping Habits

Sleeping badly for extended periods does not only make you grumpy and tired but also affects your health. Bad sleeping habits can put you at risk of serious conditions. These include diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and hypertension. Poor sleep is also associated with a higher risk of mental health problems such as stress and depression. Good sleep means not just sleeping long hours but also being able to stay asleep once you go to bed. Waking up several times throughout the night, disrupts your sleep and prevents you from getting into a deep sleep. This stage of sleep is necessary as it allows your body to rest and rejuvenate.

3. Consuming a High Gluten and Lectin Diet

Most whole-grain products are loaded with a plant protein known as lectin. Consumption of high amounts of lectin can create adverse outcomes. The most common ones include arthritis, a leaky gut, weight gain, heart and brain disease, depression, and autoimmune diseases. If possible, eliminate gluten and lectin-containing foods from your diet entirely. Most stores and restaurants will have gluten-free options for most items.

4. Buying Into the Artificial Sweetener Buzz

Artificial sweeteners market themselves as being calorie and sugar-free. Most consumers read this to be a better and healthier substitute for regular sugar. While it might be in some ways, artificial sweeteners are damaging to the digestive system. This is mostly because they can harm the food bacteria in your gut, known as the gut microbiome. Good bacteria in your gut multiply quickly to help stifle the growth of harmful bacteria. If you kill them off, you are allowing bad bacteria to run the show. Some of the issues you might develop as a result include Crohnic disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and ulcerative colitis.

5. Not Hydrating Adequately

Many people will admit to drinking water only when they feel thirsty. This is the wrong way to go about it. By the time you feel thirst, your body is already dehydrated. A better way to go about it is to be proactive about hydrating. Simple things such as carrying a water bottle and sipping throughout the day can help. Also know the risks involved with high TDS to make sure you only consume quality water. If you find yourself forgetting to hydrate, most IOS and Android phones allow you to download apps that will give you reminders every now and then. When you are well hydrated, your blood is thinner and therefore flows better. The opposite exacerbates vein inconsistency.

Take Charge of Your Health

While this list is not comprehensive, it's indeed a great place to start. These small, actionable changes will help you look and feel better. But the truth is that there is no shortcut to attaining good health.