Nutrition has always been a foundational part of health. It is an ancient science embedded within the practice of Eastern, Alternative, and preventative Medicine. From the time we are conceived in our Mothers' wombs, pretty much up until the day we die, Nutrition plays an integral role in our lives. For many of us, we understand Nutrition as something that has to do with Foods and diets. However, as somebody learned in this field, I am here to tell you that Nutrition is far more than your stereotypical vegan or keto-obsessed diet, inconsistent meal preps, or visiting a fitness trainer for the sake of only losing weight.
I mean, do not get me wrong, we need those mentioned above, however, in ways that are seemingly empowering, rather than another FAD diet mindlessly conquered or done in vain.
Food at large is our body's fuel- our energy source, biochemical support, and the medium in which nutrients can function. However, nutritional medicine is far more than the word food, diet, meal prep, or weight loss. It is an emerging and fast-growing science field
predominantly classified as how the nutrients found within our Food supply work in our bodies to promote cell and tissue growth-alongside the correlation between diet & disease.
By definition, Scientific or Medical Nutrition is the science that interprets the nutrients and other substances of Food regarding the growth, reproduction, health, and disease of an organism. It includes ingestion, absorption, assimilation, biosynthesis, catabolism, and excretion, helping
maintain a healthy weight, increased energy, improved skin health, and immune system support.Furthermore, it may also test for nutritional and herbal supplements. At the same time, Integrated (interchangeably called preventive) medicine is a holistic medical discipline that considers the patient's lifestyle. Sometimes called Holistic or Natural Nutrition, it is an overall approach in health care, incorporating the consumption of Natural, alive, and right quality foods. Rest and recovery, stress management, alongside physical, mental, and emotional wellness, are considered when working with patients in this practice scope. In most cases, with integrative medicine, you work with a Specialized Holistic Doctor ( be it a herbalist, naturopath, dietician, nutritionist, or MD); these board-certified professionals sources out the root cause of your ailment to treat the entirety of your being (i.e., the whole person) rather than just the illness or disease.
An antidote for many of today's most pressing health concerns, Nutrition at heart, is fundamental in preventative healthcare. The foods we consume are essential because they can either help build and fuel us or tear down and destroy us. The choices we make regarding our foods don't affect just one part of our bodies. They affect several. There are many defining factors to consider as often, not only are our stomachs being affected but rather our skin, heart, and brain. Many health conditions are the results of nutritional deficiencies and are severely affected by our Food source. Some can be directly caused by allergens in foods or contaminated Foods, resulting in Food poisoning and bacterial infection. The comprehensive study of Nutrition takes a more in-depth look at individuals' dietary behaviors, habits, patterns, food supply, and lifestyle to identify their specific issue(s) of concern to restore sound health in their lives through nutritional counseling and therapy. Good Nutrition often helps reduce the risk of some diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, stroke, some cancers, and osteoporosis. The significant risk factor for disease or life years lost is a low diet resulting in the lack of minerals and essential nutrients. Concepts of Nutrition and its relationship to health and disease do not get the individual attention it deserves in western medical education in comparison to Eastern medicine (Ex; Ayurveda, or Traditional Chinese Medicine.) Doctors in the west are only taught so much about the power of Nutrition. However, as the years have passed, Nutrition's application in western medicine is on the rise. We are starting to witness more people than before opting for a more wholesome approach towards preserving their health as they awaken to a new and vital interest in Nutrition. This shift involves an emerging sphere of Holistic and Natural Nutrition that encompasses the characteristics of Food and explores the quality of the person's food source and holism.
In correspondence with preserving our health, we need to replace nutrients in our bodies with new supplies every day. Our bodies depend significantly on a sufficient intake of eight essential nutrients.
These essential nutrients are housed in two groups, known as macro and micronutrients. These two groups hold the eight essential nutrients needed to sustain our biophysical makeup and encompass the science, integration, and validity of Nutrition in health. (Think of Nutrition as the fundamental building blocks of life).
Macronutrients make up most of our diets and are required by organisms in more considerable quantities throughout life to facilitate a range of physiological functions with vitality and growth. This group includes fats, lipids, proteins, water, and carbohydrates. Micronutrients, on the other hand, are needed in smaller portions and involve vitamins and minerals. Micronutrients are one of the major groups of nutrients our body needs because vitamins are necessary for immune function. Meanwhile, minerals play an indispensable role in growth, bone health, fluid balance, and several other processes.
Moreover, we get these essential nutrients by consuming whole foods (i.e., whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables).
For example, grouped as a macronutrient, one of the primary functions of carbohydrates is replenishing our body with energy. Spaghetti with wheat germ provides energy for our muscles, nervous system, and red blood cells. Whole grains also provide dietary fiber, which promotes digestive health, helps lower blood sugar and blood cholesterol levels, and aids in weight management. Another example would be Fatty acids (EFAs). Fatty acids are natural components of fats and oils. Their chemical structure can be differentiated into three groups: 'saturated,' 'mono-unsaturated,' and 'poly-unsaturated' fatty acids.
Saturated fatty acids (fats) are mainly found in animal foods, such as (fatty) meat, lard, sausage, butter, cheese, and coconut oil used for frying. Most unsaturated fatty acids (fats) are of plant and fatty fish origin. Foods containing unsaturated fatty acids include avocado, nuts, vegetable oils (corn, soy, and algal-oil), and salmon. Meat products contain both saturated and unsaturated fats. They fulfill both functions of supplying energy and that for cell communication and stabilization of moods by quickly traveling through the brain cell membrane and interacting with mood-related molecules. Nevertheless, Our food supply grants us the needed nutrients that we require with the needed vitamins and minerals that operate as cofactors for our body to operate precisely.
So, dear reader, in conclusion, the composition of the foods we consume is powerful because of their strong influence over our bodily functions and their potential to help combat the majority of our most constraining health concerns.
A diversified, balanced, and healthy diet will vary depending on age, gender, lifestyle, degree of physical activity, cultural context, locally available foods, and customs. Nevertheless, combined with physical activity, your diet can help you reach optimum health as you strive to cultivate balance in your health matters.
Fast Food is often available everywhere and advertised left and right, making it difficult for many people to know what they are eating. Nevertheless, when guided and conditioned about good Nutrition, we are more informed and willing to make the appropriate and healthful choices we need to facilitate and promote our health. It becomes apparent that people need to continue educating themselves on the power of Nutrition, exercise, and stress management to overcome roadblocks in their health. Especially during this pandemic. The power of Nutrition alongside other integrative modes of health is indeed something to be respected. However, there is still a great deal to learn about Nutrition and its relation to illness and health. With how far we have come to understand its importance in this day and age, we are further advanced than former studies in science, trying to help backup research and entice the need to act upon that knowledge.
If you made it this far, thank you so much for reading.
Until next time, please take care, and make sure you are staying informed and utilizing the power of Nutrition to your advantage during this pandemic.
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