Nutrition: Fueling Wellness Through Diet

Nutrition is the process of inserting food and converting it into energy. Nutrition is one of the major environmental factors that can affect the health of an individual. Lack of food or essential nutrients in food can give rise to disease. Knowledge of nutrition essential for both individuals as well as medical professionals.

Understanding The Basics Of Nutrition

People should gain a foundational understanding of essential nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals, vitamins and water. Explore the functions of each nutrient (nutrition) and their potential health benefits.

Elements Of Importance in Nutrition

1. Calcium : It is a large mineral. It plays a vital role in regulating nerve functions, helping muscles to contact and regulating normal heart rhythms. A more serious deficiency of calcium, called hypoglycemia, which can cause kidney failure and medications like diuretics that interfere with absorption.
2. Phosphorus : It is essential for metabolism. It is present in bones in the form of calcium phosphate. Phosphorus depletion occurs due to prolonged use of aluminum containing antacids, which binds phosphorus in guts.Doctors recommend a diet high in phosphorus to correct its level. Oral phosphate replacement  medication is often suggested.
3. Iron : It is an essential element for synthesis of hemoglobin. You can get it in a diet such as liver, meat, cereals, oat meals etc. Common cause of iron deficiency is iron deficiency anemia. Treatment includes iron supplements, you might need to take iron supplements for a few months or more to get your levels to normal.
4. Iodine : Its deficiency leads to an enlargement of thyroid called goiter. The daily intake for iodine for adults and adolescents is 150 ug/day. It is treated through eating foods rich in iodine such as seafood, milk,  vegetables  and taking iodine supplements
5. Fluoride : It is important because of its presence in small amounts in teeth and bone. Daily intake is 1-3 mg of fluoride. The chief source of fluoride is drinking enough water.

Role of nutrition in medicine

A working knowledge of nutrition is must for all medical professionals dealing with different medical branches of science. The study of nutrition is not only for dieticians but pertains to all doctors practicing medicine. The Important role of nutrition in medicine is as follows :

1. Some diseases are related to what or how people eat over long periods such as dental caries, diabetes, coronary artery disease. These diseases take a long time to develop, the importance of nutrition such as diet involves discussion while planning treatment.
2. For some diseases , variations and modification of diet is a valuable treatment. Diseases like chronic renal failure, diabetes, nephrotic syndrome, appropriate arrangement of diet is essential part of management. Obesity is another disorder where dietary restrictions are necessary.
3. The other aspect of nutritional diseases is that, where food is short in quantity or quality. All the members of a family or community do not suffer equally. People with physical or mental health suffer the most and first. 

Nutritional deficiencies

If you are not taking an incomplete diet, you can suffer from some nutritional deficiencies. These can occur due to many causes like a certain medication, pregnancy, imbalance diet and high blood pressure medications. Common nutritional deficiencies are iron deficiency which causes anemia, vitamin D deficiency which can affect health of bones, biotin deficiency which is common in pregnancy, magnesium and potassium deficiencies which can be caused due to intake of certain medications. Vitamin supplements may be necessary for certain people, such as pregnant or nursing mothers and people with intestinal conditions.

A healthy relationship with food

Having a healthy relationship with food means conscious efforts to put nutritious and healthy food in your body. you’ll notice a lot less stress and worry around eating and more food freedom. Signs of a good relationship with food include, no foods are off-limits, choose food that makes you feel good, enjoy all food in moderation, listen and respect your body’s natural hunger cues.

Final Words

Use the healthy eating plate as a guide for creating nutritional and healthy diet habits, which keeps you active throughout the day. A healthy diet plan helps strengthen bones, boost immunity, regulate growth functions, lacks the chances of deficiency and supports brain development. Our exploration of nutrition has revealed the transformative power of a balanced and nourishing diet in fueling wellness .