Health Risks of Poor Nutrition

(This piece is a resource, it is not to criticize you about how you eat. It is information being provided to help us learn more about how our bodies function and the possible changes we have the power to make.)

Good nutrition, we hear about it from time to time. We may have had a class about it in school. For many people what is behind good nutrition, or what poor nutrition can do, never crosses their minds. "Having the time" to eat well seems to be the biggest challenge, today more than ever. When you have a health problem, your time seems even more limited. In the end, it's a matter of changing poor habits for good ones.

It is one thing to decide to begin the journey to better nutrition, but what is your motivation? Let's take a different motivational look at nutrition. If you had a thoroughbred horse would you feed it fast food, carbonated beverages, alcohol, etc? If you did how might it perform on race day? For the family pet, the majority of owners purchase good quality food and provide water. Yet, we most often avoid good nutritional intake. Eating nutritionally is one essential factor that helps us to stay healthy and active.

How Does Poor Nutrition Affect Us?

Poor nutrition can impair our daily health and wellbeing and reduce our ability to lead an enjoyable and active life. Poor nutrition can contribute to stress, tiredness, and our capacity to work, and over time, it "can" contribute to the risk of developing some illnesses and other health problems such as:

• Being Overweight Or Obese
• Back Disorders
• Tooth Decay
• High Blood Pressure
• High Cholesterol
• Heart Disease And Stroke
• Type-2 Diabetes
• Osteoporosis
• Some Cancers
• Depression
• Eating Disorders

(again please note that we are saying "can" contribute to)

What Causes Poor Nutrition?

Poor eating habits such as over-or-under eating. Consuming inadequate (or none) of the healthy foods we need each day. Eating too many foods which are low in fiber and high in fat, salt, and/or sugar. Drinking beverages with caffeine which dehydrates the body (same as alcohol) or are carbonated.

These unhealthy eating habits can affect our nutrient intake, including protein, carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals as well as fiber and fluid.

Steps To Good Nutrition - It's Easier Than You Think

A good place to start is to:

• Have a good variety of healthy foods from the five food groups each day.
• Aim for two servings of fruit and five servings of vegetables each day
• Only occasionally eat sugary, fatty, or salty food, and then only in small amounts
• Switch over to healthy recipes that look and taste good
• Plan your meals ahead and shop for healthy ingredients
• Drink fresh, clean tap water instead of sugary or caffeinated drinks

Regarding water, your body is approximately 2/3's water (about the same as Earth). Water is an important part of every function of the body. The first sign we are dehydrated is when our lips feel dry. As the body dehydrates one area it will tap for fluid are the discs in our back (thus the terms, and not limited to: narrowing of disc height, DDD or Degenerative Disc Disease). Morning sickness and even hangovers are also contributed to dehydration.

Poor nutrition is not something we see the effects of quickly, it shows itself over the years. We have not been trained well enough to appreciate good nutrition which is the problem. The potential benefits of eating healthy as a part of our medical treatments are also not talked about. In the end, it is our individual choice.