I am not the world's biggest fan of professional wrestling.

As a matter of fact it's been a couple of decades since I watched the matches on TV. In those days Vince McMahon was just a backwater promoter with a tiny arena in Hamburg Pa, and some other similar locals.

With him at the helm, the sport has grown into a gigantic spectacle.

But not without cost.

The life of a professional athlete and entertainer is a harsh demanding one.

Anyone who happened upon the special done on Mick Foley would understand that these people live and die by the ratings.

And in the case of Eddie Guerrero, heart disease.

So the question remains.

How does a 38 year old man who makes a living out of working out die of heart disease.

Was it drugs?

Was it genetics?

Was it the long harsh schedules of training and performing on his way to the top?

I am certain the WWE will not allow the full story to be revealed as it would be bad for business.

In my professional opinion it was probably all of the above.

In the quest for the perfect body and super human strength, athletes take drugs in the ultimate sacrifice of their bodies to the game.

In the quest for fame and money, and in Mr. Guerrero's case probably family pride as well, they drive themselves past human endurance.

And almost universally they do not take into account the accumulation of free radical damage and inflammation that goes on in their bodies at an accelerated rate.

This is the same reason most top level marathoners will die before the national average age.

Even though a body is in shape and can clear things like lactic acid and provide oxygen with incredible efficiency.

The furnace that burns brighter, burns out faster.

Very few athletes of any level consider this factor.

What might have saved Eddie Guerrero from his untimely demise?

Taking better care of himself.

In terms of nutrition this would have meant fish oil and potent anti-oxidants to quench those free radicals.

In terms of other things it would have required a balance, both mental and physical, that did not exist in his life.

He said:

I'm an extremist and that's one thing I'd like to change in my life. It's good to be hard on myself but not to the point where I beat myself up about things. If I'm honest and look back at my mistakes then I was too hard on myself when I was carrying the title. I let things eat me up inside and I questioned myself when I shouldn't have, but it's a lesson learned and I won't make that mistake again.

credit The London Sun

In the end had he fixed these things, he might not have been champion.

Somehow I think if you would have asked him, being champion was probably worth it to him.

Rest in peace.

Dr Dave