The word nutrition has several definitions, but most people take it as a synonym for good (as in healthy) food. This is one meaning; another is the study of how the body uses food for growth, tissue repair and replacement, energy production, and system defense. Some nutrients naturally found in food have been isolated or replicated as 'supplements', dense nutrition in a tablet, capsule, drink, or powder.
Most of us know that there are high and low calorie foods. Calories are used to measure how much heat is produced in metabolism. Calories are not all bad; the ones that are combined with valuable nutrients provide energy. However, 'empty calories' in foods devoid of nutrients are detrimental to health. They can even be negatives, if their digestion drains stored vitamins and minerals from the body.
Whole foods have lots of nutritive value, but processed foods may have lost their goodness. Once people lived mainly on what they could grow themselves, but today grocery stores are the source of foods for most of us. This is a relatively new situation, and studies are just beginning to show how damaging this has been.
Foods are modified for commercial reasons. Fresh fruits are both expensive and perishable. It's easier to stock up on canned fruits and vegetables, frozen fruit juices, or frozen vegetables. Milk, once drunk raw (unpasteurized) and fresh from the cow or goat, is now pasteurized and homogenized. Unfortunately, much of the goodness of the natural food was lost along the way.
Essential fatty acids differ in how quickly they become rancid. Some are removed entirely from shelf-stable foods, which creates an imbalance and eventually a deficiency. This is why health advocates have recommended extra Omega-3 fatty acids, most easily found in supplement form. Fiber is lacking in many diet plans, since white flour has had the fibrous bran removed. Vitamins fade quickly from fresh produce shipped from far away, and minerals are lacking when soils are depleted.
An effort must be made to obtain foods in a natural state, as fresh as possible, and in quantity suited to daily activity. Food allergies or sensitivities should be taken into account. Sugary foods, refined foods, and packaged foods full of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives should be eliminated altogether or strictly limited. Children should be taught early on the value of a diet rich in good fats, plentiful fiber, adequate protein, and fruits and vegetables for vitamins and minerals.
Not all of a nutritional program concerns food. Exercise to tone muscle and promote fitness is very important. Walking, weight training, and body building tone muscles and strengthens the digestive tract and other internal organs. An adequate supply of pure water every day is vital. Deep sleep, which escapes many, is also necessary. Breathing from the diaphragm, as happens during exercise, is another health booster.
Good nutrition is important to all who want to live long, healthy, productive lives. Pain, illness, and loss of productivity are some consequences of improper diets and sedentary habits. Many of us don't need doctors as much as we need to understand what our bodies need and how to provide it.
Most of us know that there are high and low calorie foods. Calories are used to measure how much heat is produced in metabolism. Calories are not all bad; the ones that are combined with valuable nutrients provide energy. However, 'empty calories' in foods devoid of nutrients are detrimental to health. They can even be negatives, if their digestion drains stored vitamins and minerals from the body.
Whole foods have lots of nutritive value, but processed foods may have lost their goodness. Once people lived mainly on what they could grow themselves, but today grocery stores are the source of foods for most of us. This is a relatively new situation, and studies are just beginning to show how damaging this has been.
Foods are modified for commercial reasons. Fresh fruits are both expensive and perishable. It's easier to stock up on canned fruits and vegetables, frozen fruit juices, or frozen vegetables. Milk, once drunk raw (unpasteurized) and fresh from the cow or goat, is now pasteurized and homogenized. Unfortunately, much of the goodness of the natural food was lost along the way.
Essential fatty acids differ in how quickly they become rancid. Some are removed entirely from shelf-stable foods, which creates an imbalance and eventually a deficiency. This is why health advocates have recommended extra Omega-3 fatty acids, most easily found in supplement form. Fiber is lacking in many diet plans, since white flour has had the fibrous bran removed. Vitamins fade quickly from fresh produce shipped from far away, and minerals are lacking when soils are depleted.
An effort must be made to obtain foods in a natural state, as fresh as possible, and in quantity suited to daily activity. Food allergies or sensitivities should be taken into account. Sugary foods, refined foods, and packaged foods full of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives should be eliminated altogether or strictly limited. Children should be taught early on the value of a diet rich in good fats, plentiful fiber, adequate protein, and fruits and vegetables for vitamins and minerals.
Not all of a nutritional program concerns food. Exercise to tone muscle and promote fitness is very important. Walking, weight training, and body building tone muscles and strengthens the digestive tract and other internal organs. An adequate supply of pure water every day is vital. Deep sleep, which escapes many, is also necessary. Breathing from the diaphragm, as happens during exercise, is another health booster.
Good nutrition is important to all who want to live long, healthy, productive lives. Pain, illness, and loss of productivity are some consequences of improper diets and sedentary habits. Many of us don't need doctors as much as we need to understand what our bodies need and how to provide it.
About the Author:
If you are searching for the top ways to shape up after the holidays, pay a visit to the web pages found here today. You can view details about how to lose weight and build muscle by clicking on our links right now.