“Disease preys on a weak and malnourished mind.” Bernard Jensen. As we grow and develop throughout life, nutrition plays a crucial role in how we develop. During each stage of life, we require different nutrition. Proper nutrition decreases the chances of getting many diseases, physical stressors and mental issues. Many factors attribute to the overall development of a human. Nutritional health affects human growth, cognitive development, reproduction, physical health and mental health.
Nutrition can directly modify gene structure and mediate the expression of genetic factors that can target brain growth and development. Dr. Joseph and Mary Goldberger provided evidence supporting the previous statement. They discovered that Pellagra disease was a caused by a B3 deficiency (L. Sotir). Mineral and vitamins such as vitamin A, D, fatty acids, and zinc influence gene transcription. Food maintains our overall health by providing our bodies with energy, as well as, helps rebuild cells and tissue. Nutrition is a necessity to sustain human life from conception to death.
Before we are ever born, the lifestyle and health of our parents and their parents play a role in the health of each offspring. For instance, Vitamin C & E is an important antioxidant that both protect male germ cells from oxidation and genetic mutation that could threaten offspring with birth defects and disease (M.L. Wahlqvist & colleagues). Smoking can affect the genetic makeup of sperm that could contribute to
The influences of underlying health conditions can result in the need for specific nutrients as well as influencing what people are or aren’t able to eat.
Food is defined as any nutritional substance that humans or animals eat or drink in order to maintain healthy life and growth. There are many different types of food and drink that both animals and humans consume. The food we eat determines the lifestyle we have.
Nutrition is the science of our intake and utilization of food. Proper nutrition can help prevent or lessen the instances of disease. Improper nutrition can lead to a weakened immune system and even disease. In fact, A poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle are known to be risk factors for life-threatening chronic diseases such as cardiovascular (heart) disease, hypertension, diabetes,
Diet: The food children and young people eat makes a difference to growth and the ability to keep healthy and well. Children's ability to concentrate and learn is known to be made possible by the provision of a good diet. This makes it an important area of debate.
Children in need of these nutrients can suffer from stunted growth never reaching potential height. Statistics have shown stunted growth children score significantly lower on intelligence tests than do normal children. Hunger interferes with physical, emotional and academic development. According to Freedom from Hunger, “more than 4 million children will die due to hunger related causes.” NASW(2016) shows an important connection food security and nutrition play in physical and mental health.
Just as nutrition can have drastic effects on one’s physical health, nutrition can affect one’s mental health as well. The most common mental disorders that are prevalent in numerous countries are depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The dietary pattern of the general population in many countries reflect that they are often deficient in many nutrients, especially essential vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids. Deficiency in these vitamins can lead to depression.
Nutrition is a key component of an individual’s healthy well being. Many factors have a significant effect on nutrition and it is important to continuously maintain a balanced one. Having a good nutrition is one of the main defenses for an innumerous amount of illnesses and diseases that can harm the body. One would ask, “What is nutrition per say, and how do we maintain the balance of it?” Nutrition is defined as “the sum of the processes by which [a living thing] takes in and utilizes food substances.” (Merriam-Webster, 2011). It is the responsibility of each individual to assure the consumption of enough nutrients to nourish the body and to be cautious of harmful toxins. A child is dependent on their guardian on being taught how
Nutrition is important to understand because it is a significant contributor to the health and wellness of a human being. Nutrition can determine the weight of a person, the performance of organs and the body’s ability to prevent or accelerate certain diseases. Health and nutrition can be influenced by several factors such as family, friends, peers as well as physical and mental stress. As a young child, the immediate family is the biggest influence on nutrition because they are the first role models and establish the initial habits that the individual will develop. Through daily meal plans given to children, they can develop a standard of care in regard to nutrition and then incorporate key food groups into their daily diet. A child’s
The effects of nutrition can begin before birth, with the nutrition of the mother. Under nutrition can result in negative effects of the development of the brain that can become permanent and irreversible. One example is the lack of iron, which is a necessary part of the brain’s tissue. When iron deficiency is present nerve impulses tend to move slower. “Iron deficiency…is associated with behavior changes and delayed psychomotor development” (Nutrition and Cognitive Development, 2001), as well as decrease attention span, irritability, fatigue, and difficultly with concentration. “ Anemia is one of the most prevalent nutritional disorders in the world, affecting nearly one
According to the World Health Organization, “Nutrition is the intake of food, considered in relation to the body’s dietary needs. Good nutrition – an adequate, well balanced diet combined with regular physical activity – is a cornerstone of good health. Poor nutrition can lead to reduced immunity, increased susceptibility to disease, impaired physical and mental development, and reduced productivity. (World Health Organization, 2012) ”
Healthy nutrition essentially is eating healthy and balanced from all the basic food groups; which consists of the dairy group, poultry group, fruit group, vegetable group and a little from the fats, oils, and sweets groups. However, food may not always be a suitable way to collect all of one’s essential vitamins daily. That’s where supplements can be extremely valuable in assuring that people receive all of their nutrients. I learned a lot about the many effects vitamins have on the brain. For instance, vitamins play a very important role in babies’ brain growth and development and also prevent sickness and illnesses of the brain among elderly. However, even the wealthiest of people do not receive these nutrients as much as they should. I think this is a virtuous topic connected to Nutrition. Many people are aware that eating right is a key to a healthy life. Yet, the effects vitamins have on the brain are not usually discussed. Helping others gain an insight on what they could be missing in their everyday diet could be very beneficial and can even save a
At least 1 million malnourished children die every year because they lack access to the necessary treatment; 17 million children suffer from severe acute malnutrition, a deadly condition if not treated according to Action against Hunger and organization taking steps to alleviate hunger around the world. Not only is malnutrition a current issue presiding in our world it is that of a growing nature and stemming far beyond that of a hunger issue. Inadequate intake of essential vitamins and nutrients has repercussions on the entire body. One of the most concerning aspects of malnutrition on the body is that of its impact on the brain. The brain is singularly in charge of thinking, conducting emotion and producing bodily reactions; with that the
If a child does not a healthy diet they will become deficient in nutrients and minerals which help a child grow which means they will have problems with hair, nails, teeth growth and skin
Proper nutrition is one of the most essential elements to being healthy and living a long life. People deal with food every day, and food has been a part of life since the beginning of civilization. What we eat becomes our diet, and our diet plays a major role in deciding how healthy we are and how well our body functions. Without proper diet, our body cannot carry out the functions it needs to perform. Most people have some common knowledge on what is good and what is bad for the human body to consume. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains are some common items people think of when they think of healthy foods. However, it is not enough just to know what foods are good for your body, it is also important to understand why certain foods are
Nutrition is essential for organs to develop (building material), but also to let it operate (fuel). On average, as much as 25% of all energy a human daily takes in with one’s food goes directly to the brains. At those moments when the brain goes through major developments such as during childhood and adolescence this percentage may increase to 65%.