The Connection Between Nutrition and Disease - Blog 1

Discuss the connection between nutrition and disease. Be sure to include information on chronic diseases, as well as malnutrition and other leading causes of death.

 

A healthy life is impossible to obtain without a nutritious diet. What we feed our bodies today will determine how healthy or unhealthy we will be tomorrow. For example, someone who does not intake enough calcium will most likely develop osteoporosis as they age. Nutrition severely affects our health; the consequences of a poor diet can be deadly. Many chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes have been linked to poor diets. The leading cause of death in America is heart disease. Many of these deaths could have been prevented if these individuals had adopted a healthy lifestyle that consisted of a healthy diet and physical activity. Malnutrition is a condition caused by either an excess or deficiency in nutrient intake. Just as a diet high in cholesterol, added sugar, salt and saturated fat is bad for the body, a diet lacking fruits, vegetables, vitamins and minerals is just as dangerous to an individual’s overall health. For instance, a person who is not consuming enough iron is very likely to develop anemia. Individuals with anemia often feel tired, weak, cold, and sad (Sizer & Whitney, 2013). Because not all foods are high in iron, it is essential to eat a variety of healthy foods daily to ensure we are consuming all the specific nutrients required for our bodies to function properly. The benefits of a healthful diet are immeasurable. Good nutrition reduces the risk of many chronic diseases such as obesity, heart disease, and high blood pressure just to name a few (Healthy People.gov, 2015). Ultimately, the key to living a long, healthy life requires a balance between a healthy diet, exercise, and an occasional splurge of our favorite not-so-healthy foods. 

References

Healthy People.gov. (2015). Nutrition and Weight Status | Healthy People 2020. Retrieved from https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/nutrition-and-weight-status

Mayo Clinic. (2011, September 19). Dondeena Bradley, Ph.D. - Transform 2011 -- Seeing the Connection Between Nutrition and Health [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5AuEjY5Gbs

Sizer, F. & Whitney, E. (2013).  Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies (13th ed.).  Mason, OH: Cengage Learning.