Acne
Anxiety
Depression
Hair-Loss
Nutrition-2
Supplements
Weight-Loss-4
Acne-2
Asthma
Diabetes
Hair-Loss-2
Nutrition-3
Weight-Loss
Weight-Loss-5
Acne-3
Bird-Flu
Diet
Mental-Health
Nutrition-4
Weight-Loss-2
Womens-Health
Alternative
Dental
Diet-2
Nutrition
Pregnancy
Weight-Loss-3
|
|
Health And Nutrition |
It is a scientific fact that almost every disease and ailment suffered by humans can be traced back to a nutritional deficiency in the first instance, I am not solely taking about the inhabitants of third-world countries being deprived of their daily nutritional requirements here; the inhabitants of some first-world countries are also lacking in this regard.
A recent survey carried out in the USA concluded that the average American is overweight but severely lacking in the minerals and vitamins beneficial to good health. Other developed countries have similar problems.This situation arises because modern farm practices no longer see the need to rotate crops and use artificial fertilizers and chemicals extensively.( The organic farm industry has started to roll back the tide a little.) Soil stripped of its minerals means that meats, fruits and vegetables sold to the consumer are also deficient in nutrients.There is an over-reliance in developed countries on convenience and junk foods.Some modern food processing practices also have a further negative effect on the nutritional value of food. Consequently, diseases like arthritis, diabetes and cancer are on the increase all over the world.
The World Health Organization (WHO) on its Home Page on nutrition obviously had the third-world in mind with the following statements: " Better nutrition means stronger immune systems, less illness and better health. Healthy children learn better. Healthy people are stronger, are more productive and are more able to create opportunities to gradually break the cycles of both poverty and hunger in a sustainable way. Better nutrition is a prime entry point to ending poverty and a milestone to achieving a better quality of life. Freedom from hunger and malnutrition is a basic human right and their alleviation is a fundamental prerequisite for human and national development". I agree with the sentiments expressed by the WHO entirely.
Irrespective of where you are in the world,you need to get an adequate daily supply of proteins,lipids, carbohydrates , minerals, vitamins and water into your system.These are the constituent elements of food.
Proteins are obtained from meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, seeds, nuts and to a lesser extent from fruits, grains and green vegetables. During digestion proteins are broken down into animo acids -of which there are 8. Animo acids pay a crucial role in transporting proteins to cells that require them. The only food containing all 8 animo acids is eggs. It is therefore essential that you eat a balanced diet in order that one of the 8 aren't missing from your food intake,
Lipids (fats) are composed of 3 kinds of fatty acids as follows: saturated fatty acids;mono-unsaturated fatty acids; and polyunsaturated fatty cids.Saturated fatty acids are found in meat, processed meat, organs, butter,fresh cream, eggs, some seafood and peanut oil. Mono-unsaturated fatty acids can be found in olive oil, in fruits like peanuts, almonds, olives and avocados, and in duck and goose meat. Polyunsaturated fatty acids are found in corn and grape seed oil, margarine made from sunflower seeds or corn, fish, shellfish and fish oil. It is best to digest more of the last two types of fatty acids at the expense of the former as too much of the saturated kind has been known to increase cholesterol and blood pressure.
Carbohydrates are also essential to keeping your "machine" in good working order. Carbohydrates split themselves into two groups: simple and complex. The simple kind is found in sugar, honey,jam, chocolate, dried fruit,cakes,biscuits,candy, corn flakes,soft drinks and syrups. Complex carbohydrates are found in peas,beans, lentils, wheat, barley, oats,corn,rye,fruit, dried vegetables,bread and potatoes. It is best to make your main source of carbohydrates the complex group at the expense of the simple kind especially if you are obese.
Minerals and vitamins can be grouped together. Of these two, minerals are the most important as vitamins are largely ineffective without them. The minerals that need to be replenished regularly are calcium, chlorine, magnesium, phospherous,potassium, sodium,sulphur, aluminium, silver, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, flourine,iodine, lithium, manganese, nickel, selenium, silica, vanadium and zinc. Food sources for these vary from dairy products to seafood. From once your body is sufficient in minerals, then give your attention to vitamins.These are vitamins A, the B-coplex group, C D,E ,F, H, L1 and P. The food sources for these vary enormously. If taking food supplements, it is therefore best to take ones that contain both minerals and vitamins in the one tablet rather than just vitamins on their own.
Any adequate daily intake of fiber also needs attention. Fiber is obtained from whole grains, dried fruits, nuts, brown rice and wholegrain breads.
Drink plenty of spring or mineral water between meals in preference to soft drinks.
About the author: Kieran Waldron is a researcher on health issues who is established as an Internet publisher. More information on nutrition can be viewed at the following website: http//www.nutritionaspect.com
|
|
| |
|
