Nutrition

 

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The Importance of Good Nutrition

Nutrition is defined as the intake of essential elements (in the form of food) required for sustaining life. But today, the scope of nutrition has extended greatly and studies have established that there is a clear link between nutrition, wellness and beauty.

Many foods are consumed for their therapeutic and ‘feel good' properties, and special diets and supplements have been formulated by nutritionists to improve or enhance outward appearance. Eating has indeed become much more than an act of survival. It is becoming more and more important to eat the right kind of food that can create a balance between feeling good and looking good.

There is more to eating than just having a balanced diet. Food can serve as a cure for many ailments. First, eating the right kind of food in right amounts prevents nutritional deficiencies like scurvy, beri beri or anaemia. Food also plays a vital role in improving general health by helping the body to maintain homeostasis, which is the inherent ability of the body to retain a constant physical or chemical state. For instance, blood glucose levels or fat composition of body are controlled by homeostatic mechanisms.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants have been one of the revolutionary discoveries in the field of nutrition in recent years. . A component of many vegetables, fruit and nuts, these are reported to be highly beneficial to health as they neutralize free radicals, which are potentially dangerous compounds that can cause cancer. Although, the body can synthesize some antioxidants, it relies on dietary sources for a majority of its requirements.

Phytochemicals

Another important group of plant-derived chemical compounds known for its potential health-benefitting properties is the phytochemicals, also called phytonutrients. Vegetables like broccoli, cabbage and brussel sprouts as well as many green tea, berries, soy and cocoa are known to be excellent sources of phytochemicals believed to possess anti carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory properties. Fiber rich food is also beneficial in preventing cancer of the colon and also helps lower cholesterol levels in the body. Recent studies also indicate that nutritional supplements may be used in the treatment of many mental disorders like depression, bipolar disorder, OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) and schizophrenia. These are but a few of the therapeutic benefits of food. And the list goes on.

Besides enhancing health and longevity, it has been reported that many kinds of food (referred to as beauty food) play an important role in keeping the skin, hair teeth and nails in good condition and contributing to good looks. Fresh fruit and vegetables are good for keeping the skin supple and healthy. Certain vitamins and mineral-rich foods are good to prevent hair loss, while calcium rich food is required to keep the teeth and nails in good condition. Some foods can boost your immune system and make you feel healthy and also improve your external appearance. This site also offers further information on health fitness, weight loss plans and much more.