Nutrition is variously described as a bodily process of utilizing food, as the actual supply of nutrients from foods eaten, and as the science of metabolism as it pertains to nutrients taken in, digested, and delivered for use by the body. For those of us who are not scientists, it means healthy food, supplements, and other necessary things that build health and improve the quality of life.
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 contain dense nutrition in their natural, fresh form. When people lived mainly on food they produced themselves, this was not as much of a problem as it is today. Fresh vegetables from the garden, fruits from bushes and trees, and meat from the barnyard or from wildlife were staples for many generations.
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.
To extend shelf-life, essential fatty acids are removed, which has caused a general lack of these vital nutrients. Fiber is not popular with those who like soft or crisp baked goods, and vegetable oils used as common ingredients have been rendered unhealthy by processing. Sugar addiction is a problem for many and causes obesity, bone degeneration, and tooth decay, as well as vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
To maintain or to restore health, foods must be gotten as fresh as possible, cooked carefully to preserve their wholesomeness or eaten raw, and consumed in the whole state, rather than after processing. Artificial ingredients should be avoided by both adults and children. Essential fatty acids should be supplemented, unless good quality fish can be obtained, and chemical-free produce used whenever possible.
A healthy lifestyle involves more than diet. Exercise such as brisk walking, body building and weight training, or swimming is very important to increase circulation, encourage deep breathing, and tone muscles and internal organs. It helps maintain proper weight. Adequate intake of pure water, filtered if necessary, should be emphasized. At least eight hours of undisturbed sleep is considered beneficial.
Nutrition should be the basis of everyone's lifestyle. This would result in a tremendous reduction of pain, illness, expense, and loss of productivity. Feeling good, building muscle and fitness, and enjoying life are within reach of us all, if we are wise enough to implement them.
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 contain dense nutrition in their natural, fresh form. When people lived mainly on food they produced themselves, this was not as much of a problem as it is today. Fresh vegetables from the garden, fruits from bushes and trees, and meat from the barnyard or from wildlife were staples for many generations.
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.
To extend shelf-life, essential fatty acids are removed, which has caused a general lack of these vital nutrients. Fiber is not popular with those who like soft or crisp baked goods, and vegetable oils used as common ingredients have been rendered unhealthy by processing. Sugar addiction is a problem for many and causes obesity, bone degeneration, and tooth decay, as well as vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
To maintain or to restore health, foods must be gotten as fresh as possible, cooked carefully to preserve their wholesomeness or eaten raw, and consumed in the whole state, rather than after processing. Artificial ingredients should be avoided by both adults and children. Essential fatty acids should be supplemented, unless good quality fish can be obtained, and chemical-free produce used whenever possible.
A healthy lifestyle involves more than diet. Exercise such as brisk walking, body building and weight training, or swimming is very important to increase circulation, encourage deep breathing, and tone muscles and internal organs. It helps maintain proper weight. Adequate intake of pure water, filtered if necessary, should be emphasized. At least eight hours of undisturbed sleep is considered beneficial.
Nutrition should be the basis of everyone's lifestyle. This would result in a tremendous reduction of pain, illness, expense, and loss of productivity. Feeling good, building muscle and fitness, and enjoying life are within reach of us all, if we are wise enough to implement them.
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