Introduction:
There are many myths surrounding the connection between nutrition and health. The fact that an individual cannot be healthy without eating right, as well as consuming quality foods, have led to misconceptions that people should only consume diet food and other unhealthy foods. Regarding healthy living as a human being, it is imperative for one to know that, although there are some ingredients that can promote better health, a balanced diet must be embraced by an individual. (Barker 472) However, when an individual lacks food, it would not be wise for him or her to live a healthier life. In addition, it is important to appreciate that, contrary to what many individuals believe, eating nutritious foods is a very effective way to promote good health.
Consequently, it becomes apparent that, regardless of "whether" or not diets are effective at promoting weight loss and maintaining health, it makes no sense that certain foods or drinks are not a prerequisite for proper health and wellbeing. Therefore, it is clear that, if an individual eats and beverages a healthy diet and lifestyle, then he or she will experience the same benefit. On the same note, it would be impossible for anyone to deny the fact that, there are several ways in which individuals can lead a healthy and active life. Nonetheless, to ensure that a healthy lifestyle is promoted, individuals should look at foods that support their body and help them maintain their overall health. This paper seeks to examine the idea that natural diets give an individual sufficient amounts of calories and nutrients that would otherwise fail to be utilized. Consequently, it explores several elements of natural diets as they pertain to weight regulation as well as its effectiveness in promoting weight loss. Finally, it recommends various means of supporting a healthy lifestyle that do not entail any chemical intervention.
Nutrition:
Nutrition has been defined differently by different individuals. While a number of individuals define nutrition through the calorie count that a person consumes, others use the term nutrition as a system that helps sustain the body’s physiological functions that facilitate the growth and development of young cells and tissues in the body (Zanghami 2-7) As such, nutrition plays an integral role in ensuring proper functionality of the body. Additionally, nutrition serves as the main determinant of how health-promoting nutrients enter the body. For instance, in cases where a person eats poorly, his or her absorption of vitamins and minerals is likely to reduce (Kendall et ai 513). Hence, poor nutrition will lead to lack of essential nutrients that are necessary for proper physiology. Ultimately, poor Nutrition will create conditions that promote the growth of undesirable fat cells. It will also predispose one to other health problems such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer. In fact, poor Nutrition undermines the ability for one to develop a healthy immune response. Essentially, this problem affects the body’s ability to fight off infections. Furthermore, poor nutrition exposes one to the possibility of premature death. Lastly, as stated previously, most people suffer from malnutrition due to poor Nutrition. To put this into perspective, malnutrition is responsible for under-nutrition (Zanghami 2-7). Under-nutrition is a state where the body experiences deficiency of essential nutrients necessary for proper metabolism and physical functioning. Conversely, over-nutrition occurs when the body fails to obtain enough nutrients. Such conditions increase susceptibility and vulnerability to diseases like Diabetes and Cancer. These conditions are associated with lack of good nutrients required for optimum cell growth and development. Moreover, poor Nutrition promotes weight gain. A condition known as “metabolic disorders” can occur when a person continues to grow too fast (Kendall et al. 513). Metabolic disorders are conditions, which result from unhealthy diet. Particularly, they cause obesity and metabolic syndrome. Overweight is an indication that a person lacks proper nutrition and intake of essential nutrients. Conversely, obese individuals often experience diseases such as Type II diabetes (Kendall et al 513). Poor nutrition contributes to these conditions by making it difficult for body cells to absorb adequate nutrients and proteins. Indeed, poor Nutrition causes a person’s organs to become dysfunctional and weak. For instance, when the body becomes inactive and overweight, the organ systems are unable to function optimally. Besides, the body may undergo atrophy. Arguably, poor nutrition reduces the rate and magnitude of muscle building. Consequently, individuals who lack exercise end up losing weight (Kaduce 14). When a person does not get enough nutrients he or she will start to eat more and less. Eventually, individuals who fail to control this tendency that arises due to inadequate nutrition will grow heavier resulting in their inability to perform duties. Similarly, poor nutrition greatly contributes to high risk of suffering from noncommunicable diseases such as hypertension, renal failure, stroke, type two diabetes, cancer and osteoporosis.
One aspect that needs to be considered is that, poor nutrition will cause poor lifestyles. One has to acknowledge that people who lack proper nutrition and lifestyles tend to adopt unhealthy ways of behaving and living (Kaduce 15). Often, they develop bad eating habits as a way of coping and gaining control over their lives. An example of such practices that arise from poor nutrition may include; overeating, bingeing and snacking. Notably, bingeing promotes overeating among people, and it ultimately leads to lack of proper nutrition. Consequently, this forms part of unhealthy lifestyles that people adopt in order to cope with the issues caused by poor nutrition. Besides, overeating often predisposes a person to diseases such as overweight, heart disease, depression and anxiety. Generally, the behaviors adopted due to excess consumption of carbohydrates result in overeating and subsequent bingeing. In this manner, consumers fall victims to their own actions and ideologies regarding nutrition. Thus, it is evident that healthy lifestyles and diets promoted through good nutrition promote better health. It follows that, a healthy lifestyle is essential and beneficial to an individual. Moreover, good nutritional habits and diets provide the opportunity for positive changes in behavior and lifestyle. Despite all this fact, it is imperative to note that eating healthy meals can aid in achieving a healthy lifestyle. Consequently, it becomes possible to enjoy a good diet that enhances physical fitness, improves blood circulation, boosts immunity and promotes fullness of life.
Nutrition’s Effectiveness
There are myriad myths surrounding nutrition and weight loss. Much is known about the impact and contribution of nutrition towards weight loss. Nevertheless, the truth remains that poor nutrition adversely affects the rates and quantity of water output. For instance, studies show that poor nutrition increases the body’s rate of urination (Kaduce 18). Studies show that body fluids contain 60% less salt, 20% less sugar and only 10% less sodium than they are before poor nutrition (Zanghami 3). Interestingly, studies reveal that low fluid volumes are harmful to an individual’s health since they decrease the body’s capacity to function optimally. Furthermore, studies reveal that dehydration decreases metabolic rate and inhibits appetite-regulating hormones like insulin and epinephrine. Consequently, poor nutrition has negative effects on body organs and creates conditions that predispose an individual to diseases such as obesity, diabetes, kidney diseases, heart attack, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Besides, poor nutrition increases inflammation in the heart and leads to increased risk of death (Zanghami 3). Furthermore, poor nutrition decreases metabolism because it impairs the digestive tract. Consequently, it predisposes a person to conditions that result from poor digestion and absorption of nutrients.
Apparently, poor nutrition has detrimental effects on individuals’ bodies, minds aIn conclusion, it would be prudent to indicate that, poor nutrition has implications that range from adverse physical and mental health impacts to conditions, which ultimately predispose an individual to diseases like infection, heart disease, asthma and Alzheimer’s disease (Kaduce 17-25). Poor nutrition causes increased body fat production and weight gain. Besides, poor nutrition compromises an individual’s ability to perform activities of daily living such as walking, sitting and even sleeping. Unlike normal human practices, poor nutrition prevents and reverses the process of body metabolism and energy expenditure. Specifically, poor nutrition results in decreased energy, reduced body mass index scores, diabetes type I and cardiovascular diseases (Kaduce 16-25). lifestyles. More so, poor nutrition influences brain functions, memory and intellectual abilities. On the same note, it is imperative to appreciate that, poor nutrition creates conditions that can predispose an individual to conditions such as obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol and heart disease (Kaduce 21-25). Basically, poor nutrition causes weight gain. Overall, poor nutrition impairs physical, psychological, emotional and social aspects of life. Research shows that, poor nutrition is a significant contributor to depression and anxiety, impaired memory and low self-esteem. (Kaduce 23-33). Further analysis has revealed that, diets that encourage fruits that provide vitamin C and fiber have positive effects for both people and animals (Kaduce 47-51). Ideally, human beings need to take care of their bodies so that they can achieve happiness, live full and long-lived lives.
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