The Connection Between Nutrition and Disease

Have you ever thought about what you eat and how it affects your health? What if I told you nutrition and health are closely related? What you eat does affect your health. Choosing foods with nutrition in mind is kind of a foreign concept, but doing so can improve your overall health. 

Often times food choices are made by convenience and costs. The cheaper and easier, and the more bang for your buck. But that is not the healthy way. Eating fast foods, highly processed foods, high sugar, high trans-fat, high-calorie foods can lead to disease. 

                          

While this looks tasty, it can wreak havoc on your health if consumed frequently. 

Diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, some types of cancers, dental disease, and adult bone loss all have a connection to poor diet (Sizer & Whitney, 2017). Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. 

Atherosclerosis is a condition of plaque build up in the arteries and restricts or blocks blood flow, causing a heart attack or stroke. You can read more about it 

HERE.

Malnutrition is another concern when it comes to poor nutrition. Malnutrition may not be exactly what you think. Malnutrition includes deficiencies, imbalances, and excess of nutrients. Eating a well-balanced diet of fiber, protein, healthy fats and carbohydrates will supply the body with the needed amount of vitamins and minerals to prevent malnutrition. A diet lacking in these nutrients can lead to chronic disease and health problems. A quote that really sums this up is, “Some of the food you eat today, becomes part of you tomorrow” Sizer & Whitney. What we eat will affect us not just in the moment, but in the future as well (Sizer & Whitney, 2017). 

So as you can see, a healthy diet = a healthy body. Eating the wrong foods and overeating or undereating can lead to disease. Choosing healthy nutritious foods to provide the body with the needed nutrients will help to prevent health problems and help us to feel our best. Fresh fruits, vegetables, lean protein, nuts and legumes, nut-butters, and whole grains are healthy choices to reach for. Planning meals ahead of time can save a fast food run. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.  

Hugs and Blessings,

A. Gish

References:

Sizer, F. & Whitney, E. (2017). Nutrition: Concepts and controversies, (14th ed). Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu/books/Sizer.2199.17.1/sections/ch1

Atherosclerosis. (2017). Heart.org. Retrieved from  https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/about-cholesterol/atherosclerosis