Nutrition for a Healthy Immune System
As technology advances, so does our knowledge of nutrition. However, despite this increase in knowledge, we are becoming one of the unhealthiest generations in recorded history. Nutrition and the immune system are integral parts of holistic stress management and should be thought of as such. The western medical approach of treating the problem with medication is not truly curing the underlying problem. One ideal of holistic stress management is having homeostasis between the four aspects of humanity. Without a healthy balance of nutrition, a human being cannot have a healthy immune system, which can lead to impairment in the homeostasis of the human body.
Nutrition is the matter that the human body requires to survive. The essential nutrients that a human body requires are proteins, carbohydrates, fats, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and water. Nutrients can be broken down into two categories: large (Macronutrients) and small (Micronutrients). Large nutrients encompass fats, carbohydrates, and proteins, while smaller nutrients that the human body also requires, but in smaller quantities, are minerals, fibers, and vitamins (Weil, 2000). There are countless types of foods that the human body can healthily process. However, as technology increases in today's world, many of the foods are lacking the nutritional value that the human body needs to sustain a healthy existence. Joe Esposito, a world-renowned nutritionist, coined the expression “Standard American Diet” or abbreviated to SAD. This diet, which is made up of the “7 deadly foods,” are the most consumed foods in today's society: Alcohol, Artificial Sweetener, Coffee, Dairy, Fried Foods, Refined Sugar, and Salt (Esposito, 2013).
A healthy immune system is essential for the human body to function correctly. The immune system is responsible for fighting off infections and diseases. A healthy immune system requires a balance of nutrients, including vitamins A, C, D, and E, as well as minerals such as zinc and selenium (Lamas, Marti, & Martinez, 2002). Obesity can also impair the immune system, leading to a higher risk of infections and diseases (Liddament, Brown, Schumacher, & Harris, 2004).
In conclusion, nutrition is a vital aspect of a healthy immune system. A balanced diet that includes essential nutrients is necessary for the human body to function correctly. The western medical approach of treating the problem with medication is not truly curing the underlying problem. Holistic stress management, including a healthy diet, is essential for maintaining homeostasis between the four aspects of humanity.
In recent studies, it was discovered that most of the foods that Americans consumed are foods which had gone through so many processes and thereby losing most of its nutritional values. Unhealthy nutrients are also been added to foods as additive during production to either preserve flavor or enhance its taste and appearance. An individual cannot simply trust what he or she is consuming at a fast food restaurant or even a cheap prepared meal at a grocery store. Processed food or western diet needs to be replaced and totally taken out of the American life and diet; this will help the Americans to live a healthier life, and spend less on medical bills.
Michael Pollan, an American author, journalist, activist, and professor of journalism at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism (Michael Pollan), writes in his book In Defense of Food, the dangers of nutritionism and how to escape the Western diet and subsequently most of the chronic diseases the diet imparts. In the chapter “Nutritionism Defined” Pollan defines the term nutritionism. Pollan’s main assertion being how the ideology of nutritionism defines food as the sum of its nutrients, and from this viewpoint Pollan goes on to write how nutritionism divides food into two categories, with each macronutrient divided against each other as either bad or good nutrients, in a bid for focus of our food fears and enthusiasms. Finally, Pollan concludes that with the relentless focus nutritionism places on nutrients and their interplay distinctions between foods become irrelevant and abandoned.
In the year 2010, the documentary Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead was released. In the film, Australian native Joe Cross has realized that his health is worsening very fast. So Cross finally decides that he will turn his life around by taking an extreme diet that will deprive him of macronutrients for 60 days. Macronutrients are nutrients found in foods other than fruits and vegetables. Micronutrients are those nutrients found in fruits and vegetables. Micronutrients provide minerals such as Vitamin A, Iodine, Iron, Folate, and Zinc. While the body does not need these in large amounts, they are essential to the body because they help develop disease prevention and promote well-being. Micronutrients are important to include
People seem to be enjoying the current events and influx of knowledge in decision-making and the rise of the modern society that forfeits traditions and culture of the old. He denotes that the nutritional world has been impact negatively. In his article “The Worst Mistake in History of the Human Race” he strongly points that the old ways of practicing nutrition were much between as compared to the current world. The article begins by highlighting the various beliefs which people have long been exposed to since tender ages. For instance, he mentions that people have been taught to understand that various origins of the universe and human creation. He thus compares the same with the changes in the current global society. Yet, the question remains are these changes meant for good or are they a mistake to the human
Wardlaw, G.M. and Smith. Contemporary Nutrition: Issues and Insights. 5th Edition. Boston: McGraw-Hill, pp 85, 2004.
Anderson, Greg. (No date). A Simplified Explanation of Holistic Health [Online]. Available: http://ahha.org/Anderson.htm [1999, March 1].
Nutrition in humans is a product that require to supply the human body to function, nutrients also helps to prevent any disease in human organs.
The population in the United States as of 2009 was 307,006,550 the younger population is projected to slightly increase and eventually plateau though the older population has been steadily increasing and projected to continue on an upward trend (Vincent & Velkoff, 2010). The lack of a healthier diet is something that has been highlighted in the media for the past decade and more often than not we are seeing the effects of overindulging and the consumption of highl...
Proper nutrition is important in maintaining a long and healthy life. Most Americans are rushed due to their busy work schedules, and do not take the time to plan their diets properly. Like me, most Americans are unaware of the importance of eating a healthy diet and consuming too many foods without the proper nutrients. Throughout my life, I have been fortunate. I have not had any major health problems, and have been able to consume most foods without having to worry about gaining weight.
Nutritionism and Today’s Diet Nutritionism is the ideology that the nutritional value of a food is the sum of all its individual nutrients, vitamins, and other components. In the book, “In Defense of Food” by Michael Pollan, he critiques scientists and government recommendations about their nutritional advice. Pollan presents a strong case pointing out the many flaws and problems that have risen over the years of following scientific studies and government related warnings on the proper amount of nutrients needed for a healthy diet. Pollan’s main point is introducing science into our food system has had more of a negative impact than a positive one, we should go back to eating more of a traditional diet. I believe food science has given us
Jacyln Maurer Abbot, Carol Byrd-Bredbenner. "The Sate of the American Diet." Enhancing Nurtrition in Consumption in the American Diet (2007): 32.
People is always asking: “Why is important to have a balanced diet? Why is necessary to have a balanced diet on a daily basis? And why do professionals tend to recommend a balanced diet?” The human being has essential needs to its existence: breathing, feeding, and keeping the body in constant movement. The majority of the people are aware of this, but they do not have a balance among these things and even more important they do not eat the adequate food to keep their body healthy. Food is one of the most important factors because it gives the energy the body needs daily. In other words, few words food is the fuel that provides glucose, which is carried to each cell of the body through the bloodstream. This process is extremely important and this is influenced by the type of food that each person consumes. A balanced diet is important for human beings, and makes reference to a good nutrition with regard to the food they eat; which contains macro nutrients that are carbohydrates, fats, and proteins; these provide energy and basic materials that the body uses to grow and stay healthy.
The macronutrients a person consumes are what the body needs to function properly. They are the nutrients from protein, fats and carbohydrates that make up a person's daily nutrition. The amount of macronutrients and ratio of one to the other is what people alter to achieve a certain result. For example, lowering carbs and fats while amping up on protein is what body builders do to gain more muscle. Runners will lower protein while increasing carbs to give themselves a rush for a big races.
Postlethwait, John H., and Janet L. Hopson. "Body Function and Nutrition." Modern Biology. Orlando: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2006. Print.
As they always say HEALTH IS WEALTH! Your food selection today, makes you enjoy for the moment and affects your health tomorrow and in the future!