Nutrition May Improve Asthma
January 24th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
Asthma is a respiratory ailment that can be found in any part the world. The airways become inflamed and oxygen intake is reduced. The two most common treatments are taking prescription drugs and keeping the air passageways clean. It has been shown recently that proper nutrition may alleviate some of the symptoms.
The underlying perspective of these studies is based on the view that asthma is caused or furthered by the deficiency of certain nutrients. Nutritionists are working out adequate nutrition plans for asthma patients. These plans inform on what to take in what form, the importance of the food item and its connection to asthma.
Benefits of Proper nutrition
There are several nutrients that, if taken regularly in proper quantity, relieve symptoms of asthma to a notable degree.
These include:
antioxidants
antihistamine
anti-inflammation nutrients.
We will briefly look at each one.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are naturally found in fresh produce like vegetables and fruits. They are more effective than vitamin pills commonly taken by people. Antioxidants defend the body against free radicals that are the cause of irritation and inflammation commonly observed in asthmatics.
Folic Acid
Natural sources of nutrition that contain folic acid include whole wheat foods, peas, dried beans, spinach, beets, asparagus, liver, and oranges etc. Asthma patients are deficient in folic acid so they need to increase their intake of these foods.
Fish Oil
Fish oil is good against inflammation but asthma patients should avoid taking it if they have previously experienced any allergies with fish. Eating fish twice a week is the best natural way to get the required amount of fish oil.
Magnesium
Magnesium helps in smoothing the muscles of esophagus and in relaxing bronchial tubes (airways). Asthmatics have a chronic deficiency of magnesium, which they can make up for by adopting nutrition including milk, dairy products, nuts, green leafy vegetables, and whole grains.
Pantothenic Acid
Commonly called Vitamin B5, pantothenic acid boosts the immunity by helping in the formation of antibodies. Naturally it occurs in milk and dairy products, whole-grain cereals, sweet potatoes, eggs, fish, mushrooms, and legumes.
Quercetin
Quercetin is natural anti-histamine (anti-allergic) and anti-inflammatory agent, found in plant extract and is available in form of supplements.
Multivitamins with B complex
One of the most common deficiencies of asthmatics is in vitamins of the B group, especially B6 and B12. This deficiency can be overcome by nutrition including multi-vitamin supplements.
N-acetylcysteine
N-acetylcysteine is an antioxidant that helps asthma patients by thinning the mucus in the airways. It is available in nutritional supplements.
There is no guarantee that these will eliminate your asthmatic reactions. However, if you suffer from asthma, trying some of these natural remedies can’t hurt. You may be fortunate enough to see you symptoms reduced.
Nutrition: Is it a Good Career?
January 22nd, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
Do you have an interest in nutrition? Are you always looking at labels? Are you always making sure you have a healthy diet?
Maybe nutrition is a good field for you!
A. Reasearch
If you have been thinking about the nutrition field, the most important aspect of moving into a career is research. You need to know exactly what you’re looking at, how you are going to obtain your education, and where you are going to go when you are finished. Read below on what is involved in the study of nutrition, what types of nutrition schools are available and what career options you have at the end of your studies.
B. nutrition Study
In general, the study of nutrition involves how the ingestion of food and beverages affect overall well-being and health. nutrition schools provide students with the opportunity to study a variety of nutritional topics, such as sports nutrition, nutrition and diet therapy, the roles of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants as well as how nutrition effects metabolism.
C. nutrition Schools
There are several different types of nutrition programs available at nutrition schools across the country. Many offer courses with the aim of sending the student off into the field as a nutrition educator or a nutritional consultant. In general, there are two schools of thought in regards to nutrition. There are schools that are scientific and medical in their approach, while others take a more holistic approach to nutrition. Your personal philosophies will come into play as you decide between these two approaches.
D. nutrition Careers
There are several different types of careers offered by the world of nutrition schools. A nutrition specialist can assist and counsel people on how to build a better basis of nutrition in their lives. Nutritionists and dieticians do differ. On a technical level, the term dietician is a term that is regulated on a professional level. In some states, a license is required to offer advice and counseling to the public.
In addition to this service, there are a variety of ways in which you can use your nutrition background for the greater good. The Friedman School of nutrition Science and Policy for example offer specializations in Food Policy and Economics, in which the focus is global nutrition issues. In addition, there is also a nutrition Interventions specialization, in which students are taught how to construct and execute plans to fight worldwide malnutrition.
Following the steps will enable you to pursue your career in nutrition. This skill will not go obsolete!
Nutrition: New Advances
January 19th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
New Advances in Science Influence nutrition
Advances in disease control, specifically oral diseases, has greatly influenced nutrition science. It has not only changed the objectives but the approach as well. These advances have occurred in Western countries as well as developing countries.
The understanding of health dimensions has added a new perspective in nutrition thanks to findings that have been made in biochemical, immunological and molecular biology investigations into oral tissues. One expects that a major challenge that lies ahead in gaining more perspective in nutrition is to recognize the role of nutrition on oral tissues, which does not really differ from other tissue and organ systems.
In addition, the new perspective in nutrition should reach the general public in a prudent as well as effective manner to ensure that consumes take advantage of such new perspectives in nutrition in addition to oral health concepts in maintaining good health and also prevent oral diseases at the same time.
Still Have a Ways to Go…
It is well known that nutrition communities are still some distance away from totally understanding how to combine science with effective policies and to make the contribution of nutrition science more conducive to better understanding of nutrition and provides them with a new perspective on nutrition. However, the success of such studies has been limited because of the small proportion of professionals who are using this theory to further their knowledge about nutrition.
At the 24th Administrative Committee Coordination/subcommittee on nutrition Session held in Oslo, Norway on March 30 to April 2, 1998 that was hosted by the Government of Norway the main subject discussed was the Gender perspective on nutrition through the life cycle and this topic started out by recognizing that one needs to accelerate action as well tackle malnutrition throughout the life cycle to ensure that the population of the world gets adequate food, health as well as care.
This symposium understood that any perspective in nutrition should recognize that good nutrition during pregnancy minimizes the likelihood of low birth weight in the young infant and in turn, leads to better nourished school-aged children who may thus participate more fully in their educational process.
Also, adolescence nutrition for girls in particular is vital for their growth, development as well as well-being and in time also for their children. The goal of gaining a better perspective in nutrition should be to eradicate hunger within a short span of time as well as the need for a more enabling environment for development.
A better understanding of the importance of nutrition is improving health potential. This is happening around the world. Good nutrition equals good health.
Understanding Nutrition
January 15th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
Do you understand the basics of nutrition?
In order to promote good physical and mental health it is important to have a good understanding of nutrition. There have been numerous studies in this area. We are all aware that we must follow certain guidelines to maintain our health. The real question is: Do we apply it?
Fortunately, people today are taking notice and making changes in their lives to include proper nutrition and exercise for a healthier life.
Understanding nutrition is crucial if you want to possess a healthy body and mind. Nature has everything one needs to promote growth, immune system, mental alertness, physical strength and so on. A balanced diet, i.e. a diet which includes all the nutrients required by the body, is difficult to maintain without a basic understanding of nutrition.
So, What Does Understanding nutrition Involve?
Whatever you eat has an impact on your body. A normal meal would contain carbohydrates, fat, protein and water. Each one of these, depending on how they are consumed and in what quantity they are consumed, influence the way our body feels, works, reacts and ages.
There are four areas:
1. Carbohydrates
2. Fat
3. Protein
4 Water
1. Carbohydrates – this is the fuel of the body. The liver and the muscles of the body need sufficient intake of carbohydrates in order to maintain good health. There are two major types of carbs, (i) simple, which are usually sweet (eg. fructose, sucrose, glucose, etc) and (ii) complex, which are starch based (eg. corn, brown rice, wheat, etc).
2. Fat – this is your body insulator and protector. Fat, taken in the required amount, moderates the metabolism and protects vital organs. The two major fats are (i) cholesterol and (ii) triglycerides. You can get cholesterol from seafood, eggs, dairy products and meat. The triglycerides – saturated, poly-saturated and mono-saturated fats – control the body weight and heart function.
3. Protein – this is one of the complex food compounds consisting of essential and non-essential amino-acids. The protein is crucial for growth and tissue repair of the body. The non-essential amino-acids are manufactured by the body itself while the essential amino-acids would have to be introduced into the body by consuming the right foods.
4. Water – the body need at least eight glasses of water every day. The right amount of water helps the body expel toxins, fight dehydration, prevent heat stroke, moderate body temperature, digestion and so many other functions. Humans can stay without food upto three weeks; however, they will die without water within 48 hours.
As you can see, it is important to understand these basic areas of nutrition to build good health. You also need to develop an exercise plan that you follow religiously. Combine good nutrition and proper exercise and you increase your chances for living a long and healthy life.
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