Food as medicine




Food as medicine


We all know that food can impact an individual's health to a lot of extent. The concept of "Food as medicine" is basically grounded on the fact that "eating correct food can act as a medicine." What we eat has a direct influence on our physical as well as mental health. Not only correct food, but also consuming food in correct quantity matters. It becomes imperative to have a balanced diet along with the correct level of calorie intake maintained for everyday because if not maintained it can lead to disorders like obesity.

Obesity is a disorder which can promote other age-related disorders like diabetes, some cancers and heart diseases. Food can impact the vital organs of body like heart, brain and bones. It is very important to maintain these vital organs of the body in order to maintain a sound mental and physical health. For this, it is very important to know about the correct amount and type of nutrients for these organs.

Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids are known to promote heart health. The fibre content of vegetables and legumes can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Vitamin B12 deficiency is linked to loss of memory and Alzheimer's diseases in older people, implying its importance for brain health. Proteins are the building blocks of muscles and so inclusion of protein in diet is very important. Consuming a diet rich in calcium and having sufficient supply of Vitamin D is very important for good bone health. These are the basic nutrients which are required for a balanced diet and hence a healthier life. These food choices can ultimately have an impact on life expectance. Research indicates that eating a diet rich in legumes, whole grains and nuts and reducing the consumption of red and processed meat can effectively increase life expectancy.

Every individual needs to have an optimized diet in order to have a long and healthy life. These food choices can help to add more healthy years to one's life. The awareness regarding optimized and correct food choices should be included in early years of life to have the maximum benefit.

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