The Importance Of Nutrition For Your Overall Physical And Mental Health

Scientific evidence is very clear about this: we can definitely manage our own health through the things we daily eat.
Did you know that scientists are actually looking into ways of protecting astronauts from radiation by means of dietary supplements? Radiation hazards in outer space present an enormous danger for the safety of astronauts, it causes the formation of free radicals. Through a special nutrition however astronauts are able to counter the effects of these free radicals.
The same principle applies to us 'normal' humans. Free radicals are forming all over our body due to all kinds of environmental attacks. It is a good thing that nowadays more and more people take notice and change the way they live in order to embrace the benefits of a healthy nutrition and exercise.
If a healthy body and mind is what you want, understanding nutrition is of the utmost importance. In its infinite wisdom nature has provided us with everything one needs to promote growth, immune system, mental alertness, physical strength and so on. Without a basic understanding about nutrition it will be very difficult, if not impossible to establish a diet which includes the necessary elements the body needs.
What exactly does understanding nutrition involve?
Quite simply put: everything you ingest has an influence on your body. So you have to make sure that what you eat contains those elements your body needs. What your body needs are carbohydrates, fat, protein and last but certainly not least water. The amount in which each of these elements is consumed influences greatly the way you feel, react and age
1. Carbohydrates - this is the number one energy source of the body. Our liver and the muscles of our body need a sufficient intake of carbohydrates in order to maintain good health. You can find two major types of carbohydrates ( or carbs as some people prefer to call them):
- simple carbohydrates, which are predominantly of a sweet nature (eg. fructose, sucrose, glucose, etc) and
- complex carbohydrates, which are based on starch (and can be found in corn, brown rice, wheat, etc).
2. Fat - must be taken in the required amount in order for it to moderate the metabolism and protect vital organs. Too much fat in your daily nutrition has the opposite effect however. The two major fats are
- cholesterol : you can get cholesterol from seafood, eggs, dairy products and meat.
- Triglycerides: saturated, poly-saturated and mono-saturated fats, they have an influence on your weight and heart function.
3. Protein - Without protein the body cannot grow or repair itself. The non-essential amino-acids are manufactured by the body itself (hence the term non-essential, the body can provide its own) while the essential amino-acids would have to be introduced into the body by consuming the right foods.
4. Water - the body needs a lot of water: at least eight glasses every day. This amount helps the body to expel toxins, fight dehydration, prevent heat stroke, moderate body temperature, digestion and so many other functions. We all know humans can stay without food up to three weeks; however, they will perish without water in as little as 48 hours.
The right sort of wall balanced nutrition contributes directly to the health of individuals and communities. Clinical research as well as evidence collected through laboratory tests and field work support the importance of concept to the practice of clinical medicine, dentistry, and public health.


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Detox Your Body For Better Health

It is a must to detox your body these days. A detox program enables you to cleanse your body of harmful chemicals that build up and result in many different diseases. Cancer, Parkinson’s Disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, lung disease, kidney problems, and fatty liver deposits are just a few of the conditions that have been blamed on toxins.

Harmful toxins come from our environment – pollutants from the air we breathe, the water we drink and the products we apply to our skin.  The food we eat is also a source of toxins, like the pesticides that are used in the vegetables and the hormones, antibiotics and other medicines that are injected in the meat and poultry. These are just some of the sources of harmful toxins that enter our bodies.

Although your body has its own detoxification system it cannot cope with the amount of chemicals that we are bombarded with every day. This is a major reason why it is a good idea to take steps to detox your body, to get rid of these harmful substances and eventually optimize your health and well being.

To detox your body, it is important remember that the goal is to help the body in its natural function to detoxify and eliminate toxins via the bowel, the urine and sweat. Planning to detox your body will mean undergoing a special diet regimen that will help support the detox organs.

This diet should include:

• High fiber – fiber provides bulk in the stools, prevents constipation and promotes regular bowel movements. Dietary fiber helps to prevent diabetes, lowers blood cholesterol and risk of heart disease. It also gets rid of harmful toxins which cause colon cancer.

• Organically grown fresh fruits and vegetables

• Foods which are rich in vitamins and minerals that are needed for detoxification and a great source of antioxidants that acts as the body’s cleansing agent.

• Increased consumption of clean pure water to help the kidneys flush out toxins.

The ideal way to detox your body is to start avoiding sugar, processed foods, junk food, fatty food, red meat and alcohol. You should also gradually reduce coffee if you drink a lot of it and replace with herbal teas, green or white tea and pure water.

At the same time you should increase your intake of fresh fruit, vegetables, salads, whole grains, beans and lentils. Then, you can start a week of more intensive detox. Eating abundantly foods that are fresh and organically grown, consume lots of fluid, and avoid eating processed food.

Contrary to what you may think you don’t have to starve yourself or eat unusual foods when you detox your body. Simply changing the way you eat will give your detox system a chance to work better.

Discover more about how to detox your body in The Definitive Detox Diet Plan  by nutritionist Sandy Halliday. She recovered her own health with detox and has coached clients to achieve their health goals for over 20 years.
copied from- http://www.DefinitiveDetoxDiet.com contributed by Sandy Halliday