Nutrition plays a vital role in our overall development; it includes not only physical development but also mental development. Nutrients that we get through food helps in nourishing and nurturing ourselves to live healthy and happy life.
1. Since 1999 onwards Indians have started gaining weight due to urbanisation. Modern gadgets are making humans lazy and reducing their growth also. Indian people have started relying on processed foods that contain a huge percentage of trans-fat, sugars, and other unhealthy and artificial ingredients which is the main cause of current obesity scenario.
2. A determination to adhere to a low-calorie diet is the basic requirement before starting any reducing programme; no magic pill or food can replace this. It’s important for a person to be mentally strong to reduce weight and then diet and exercise plays their role.
3. India is a third most obese country in the world with highest number of obese people. Obesity increases the risk for diabetes, blood pressure, heart diseases, and strokes.
4. The latest global figures on diabetes, released by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), has raised a serious alarm for India by saying that nearly 52% of Indians aren’t aware that they are suffering from high blood sugar. There is possibility that by 2030, India’s diabetes numbers are expected to cross the 100 million marks. Studies has suggested that diet and weight reduction can prevent or cure diabetes, whatever the initial BMI.
5. Many lifestyle changes including diet helps to control several CHD risks factors at the same time. For example, physical exercise may help to lower your blood pressure, control diabetes and prediabetes, reduce stress, and control your weight. Anyways diet therapy should be the first step in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. It could also be effective in reducing serum cholesterol levels. A six-month trial of two diets – one low in fat and high in carbohydrate with fibre – and the other low in saturated fat and high in monounsaturated fat – on people with hyperlipidaemia reduced high blood cholesterol.
6. Weight reduction in the obese and sodium reduction lower blood pressure even in healthy adults. High blood pressure decreases with calorie or sodium restriction, even before weight loss occurs. Prevention of obesity can forestall high blood pressure.
7. Obesity also increases the risk of osteoarthritis. Diet helps in managing osteoarthritis by bringing your weight to ideal body weight to reduce excessive weight on joints. A low purine, low protein diet with liberal fluid helps to manage gout.
8. The study has also revealed that a whopping 69% of Indians are suffering from vitamin D deficiency and 15% are found to be vitamin D insufficient. This has happened due to fast-paced, stressed-out lifestyles of people. With long working hours and very little or no time for outdoor activities, more and more people are suffering from vitamin D deficiency. Foods which are rich in Vitamin D like egg yolk, milk, and butter help to meet the regular requirement of vitamin D. But since these food items are rich in fat also, before consuming them consult a registered dietician.
9. Vitamin B12 is an essential micronutrient required for optimal hemopoietic, neuro-cognitive and cardiovascular function. Biochemical and clinical vitamin B12 deficiency has been observed among the patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. It presents with diverse clinical manifestations ranging from impaired memory, dementia, delirium, peripheral neuropathy, sub-acute combined degeneration of the spinal cord, megaloblastic anaemia and pancytopenia*. This deficiency can be overcome by increasing the intake of milk, cheese, eggs, etc. But since these food items are also rich in fat always consult a registered dietician before consuming them.
10. New research suggests that mothers who eat high-fat, high-sugar diets can predispose multiple generations to metabolic problems, even if their offspring consume healthy diets. So, lifestyle modification including diet is most important for healthy future.
Reference:
*Davis Kibirige and Raymond Mwebaze. Vitamin B12 deficiency among patients with diabetes mellitus: Is routine screening and supplementation justified? Journal of Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders May 2013;12(1):17. DOI:10.1186/2251-6581-12-17.
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