Health and Diet Issues

Food as Medicine

Nutrition Therapy

 

 

What is Nutrition

In the science of medicine and wellbeing of human beings, nutrition is the practice and science of consuming and using food for the functioning of the body; it comprises of catabolism which is the breakdown of food in the body and anabolism which is the building and repair of cells and tissues in the body. Together catabolism and anabolism make metabolism.

The focus of the science of nutrition is essentially on prevention or treatment of diseases, ailments and ill-health with the application of healthy diet. It studies nutrients and their effect on the body; the 7 key categories of these nutrients being 5 macro nutrients and 2 micronutrients.

Macro-nutrients required by the body in large quantities – Carbohydrates, Proteins, Fats, Fibre and Water

Micro-nutrients required by the body in small quantities – Vitamins and Minerals

 

Food and Nutrition

What does food do in our bodies?

The nutrients in food enable the cells in our bodies to perform their necessary functions.

This quote from a popular textbook describes how the nutrients in food are essential for our physical functioning, “Nutrients are the nourishing substances in food that are essential for the growth, development and maintenance of body functions. Essential, meaning that if a nutrient is not present, aspects of function and therefore human health decline. When nutrient intake does not regularly meet the nutrient needs dictated by the cell activity, the metabolic processes slow down or even stop."

What role do nutrients play in our body?

Nutrients are essential for specific body functions. These nutrients provide "information" so the body can complete the necessary processes. The main seven nutrition groups, their nutrients and roles have been listed below as examples. (Note: This is a simplification for illustrative purposes. There are no doubt many more substances involved in all of these processes, including trace minerals and co-factors.)

Vitamins A, E, C, vitamin B-6, riboflavin, magnesium, selenium are all critical to the Immune function of the body.

Vitamin A, E, B6, C and copper, riboflavin, magnesium, vitamin are important for tissue repair and formation.

Likewise, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, vitamin B6, folic acid, B-12, copper, vitamin C serve the function of nerve impulses.

Minerals like potassium, thiamin, niacin, vitamin B6, magnesium, riboflavin, folic acid, vitamin C help proper metabolism.

Macronutrients like carbohydrates, proteins and fats are essentially energy nutrients and are required in larger quantities compared to micro nutrients.

Fiber likewise has a significant function to maintain gut health and is fuel for gut bacteria; it prevents multiple health issues like constipation, hemorrhoids, even cancer, diabetes, and more.

Water is vital to the normal functioning of the human body. Since our body is two thirds of water, it is crucial in digestion, excretion and circulatory function. Dehydration causes serious malfunction of all systems and can lead to death.

If we understand food beyond calories and grams, good and bad foods and instead focus on foods we should include rather than those we should exclude, we can use foods to create health and reduce disease.

It is therefore important to review where human beings are currently going wrong; what our health issues are and what diet issues they are linked to or stem from.