Nutrition or Disease - It's Your Choice

Take Charge of Your Life

Do you ever wonder how you can take charge of your health?  Advertisements and health experts make a number of health claims that state there are miracle cures and easy ways to combat chronic diseases.  Here you will learn how nutrition can affect diseases and how individuals have the ability to ward off unwanted health problems.  Each person has two main choices regarding his/her health and well-being, which are to either be proactive about one’s health by planning daily dietary intake and physical activity or let random food and activity choices shape what their body will become.  As the adage says, “If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail”. 

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Foods contain calories for energy, as well as vitamins and minerals to build a strong resilient body (Anspaugh, Hamrick, & Rosato, 2011).  Foods that contain vitamins such as E, A, D, B, and C can prevent deterioration in one’s eyes, immune and cardiovascular systems, and cells (Sizer & Whitney, 2014; Anspaugh, Hamrick, & Rosato, 2011).  In addition, by taking in essential minerals like iron, calcium, and potassium a person can build strong bones and teeth, as well as a powerful central nervous system (Sizer & Whitney, 2014).  So how does one take in these vital nutrients?  Citrus fruits contain large amounts of vitamin C, whereas sunlight, milk, and dark orange vegetables provide generous amounts of vitamins D and A, in addition to calcium (Anspaugh, Hamrick, & Rosato, 2011; Sizer & Whitney, 2014).  Grab a banana and load up on potassium to prevent muscle cramping or help sustaining water and electrolyte levels in the body.  Eat some lean meats like fish and poultry, as well as dark leafy green vegetables, beans, eggs, nuts, and dried fruit to keep iron, omega 3, and vitamin B levels adequate, which will prevent anemia, fatigue, and cardiovascular disease.  Drink a couple glasses of milk or eat yogurt to load up on calcium to prevent rickets or osteoporosis (Hill, 2014; Sizer & Whitney, 2014).  These healthy foods also contain antioxidants, which prevent certain types of cancer (Sizer & Whitney, 2014).   

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This wide array of foods will prevent malnutrition, which is having a deficiency, excess, or disparity of energy, vitamin and mineral levels within one’s body.  Rather than eating a diet loaded in saturated fat from butter, cheeses, unhealthy meats, and deep fried oils that lead to diabetes or cardiovascular disease try eating a variety of nutrient dense fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and beans so that you can enjoy the benefits for years to come by living healthier and longer.  Do not invite heart problems into your life, rather put up a wall of defense to keep them out.     

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References

Anspaugh, D. J., Hamrick, M. H., & Rosato, F. D. (2011). Wellness: Concepts and applications (8th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. 

Hill, D. S. (2014). Health benefits of a plant-based diet. Maryland Nurse, 16(1), 6-7. Retrieved from http://web.b.ebscohost.com.proxy-library.ashford.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?nobk=y&vid=8&sid=c3eaf7c1-f3e4-46ea-bcaf-1f9cac94a274@sessionmgr111&hid=109

Sizer, F. & Whitney, E. (2014). Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies (13th ed.). Mason, OH: Cengage Learning.