Human behavior can prevent 60% of diseases till 60, says Nobel laureate
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Speaking at the 5th International Research Symposium on Advances in Translational Research and Medicine held at Zydus Research Centre on Tuesday, Nobel laureate in medicine, Dr Rolf Zinkernagel said, "When we talk about medicinal research it has its own limitation. There is a need to educate people, especially girls as they become mothers and inculcate hygiene, nutrition and other values in their children which then get passed on. If humans change their behavior and quit smoking and alcohol, and adapt to regular physical activities, it can solve 60% of the health problems till the age of 60."
Dr Zinkernagel suggested that getting back to the lifestyle adopted by our ancestors in the midst of nature can be helpful to lead a healthy life. The symposium, which would be addressed by 42 internationally acclaimed scientists, researchers and academicians from
The symposium stressed on good quality research along with ideas. There is a need to understand the immune system and do away with misleading promises, Dr Zinkernagel said. "We need to accept the fact that we know relatively little and that wrong doubts and misleading hopes are even more dangerous. I feel it is not possible to get a preventive vaccine for diseases like HIV even in next 20 years due to the various limitations," said the acclaimed scientist. There is a need to take a step towards translation research to understand diseases and develop the targeted drug, he added.
The symposium also talked about more investment by the country in health and medicinal systems. Vaccines that react to and cure a variety of viruses should be invented, Dr Zinkernagel further added.