The Vital Importance of Correct Nutrition

The benefits of correct nutrition to the body are of such importance that it would perhaps take volumes of books to cover every aspect.

The subject of nutrition and it's benefits to the body have, in past decades, been somewhat dismissed in favour of treating clinical problems with medicines and tablets. However, every facet of the existence of the human body in this natural realm we live in is either directly or indirectly affected by nutrition, and not just nutrition, but more importantly, correct nutrition. As the saying goes, "we are what we eat" and this is true literally on a cellular level as will be discussed.

Correct nutrition that will be of optimum benefit to the body consists of the intake and assimilation of correctly balanced and adequate amounts of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals as well as fibre, water, oxygen and even light. These essential nutrients are absolutely vital for the balance and functioning of all bodily systems, including all organs, cells, various bodily systems and processes, skin, hair, eyes etc. and to achieve correct nutrition we cannot do without any of them.

However, in order to benefit from this correct nutrition and it's effects, we need to be able to have sufficient amounts of it from the food we take in. The primary sources of this food come from plants and animals. Indeed, mankind was designed and structured to eat the products provided on the earth in order to keep him alive. However pollution and the effects of our food processing, growing and harvesting methods have taken their toll on these vital foodstuffs and we now find that although the nutrients we need are in these plant and animal foods, they have been considerably depleted. This means that it is often very wise to take supplements, in accordance with a guided dietary plan, in order to benefit our bodies accordingly. Once we have the correct amounts in balanced proportions of the nutrients that we need, the benefits to our bodies are enormous.

To expand on this we look firstly at the very makeup of the cells within the body. Here we find that the correct amounts of the essential fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6 in balanced proportions are absolutely vital. The body cell membranes through which assimilated material passes relies on these acids to remain both flexible and fluid in their structure. If one or more of these is not present, it will cause dryness and lack of flexibility in the membrane which can have obvious detrimental effects upon our health. These EFAs and their correct balance have also been shown to reduce the cases of such as diabetes, cancer, strokes, heart problems and even depression. The very chemical processes in the brain rely on these EFAs and the benefits of them are extreme. They can be found in such things as oily fish, fish oil, primrose and flaxseed oil. Supplementing with these things in our diet can be very beneficial.

Next there is the benefit that correct nutrition has on our organs. Take for example the liver. Its many functions rely upon nutrients provided in the diet. Certain enzymes in the liver that combat toxins which, if not dealt with would promote disease and sickness, need a variety of coenzymes found in the B-vitamins B2, B3 and B6 as well as minerals such as iron, magnesium and zinc in order to carry out their job properly. If there is a deficiency in these then these functions and indeed the function of the liver as a whole will be severely affected. Our digestive systems also rely on correct nutrient intake. In order to process the food eaten to provide energy for very life itself, a suitable balance of vitamins and minerals etc. must be present in order for correct functioning of our digestive systems. For example, the B-vitamins, being essential for energy metabolism, act as coenzymes and are important for the correct operation of digestive enzymes within our bodies. Without these food will not be digested properly which can lead to a host of problems such as food intolerances and even allergies and ineffective elimination of waste products etc.

Our skin, hair and eyes are dependant on suitable amounts of vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A which aids the growth of cells, Vitamin C that helps in the formation of collagen and acts as an anti-oxidant that can even prevent early ageing signs such as wrinkles.

Minerals, often overlooked by the general public in favour of vitamins, play an essential behind-the-scenes role in health. Calcium, for example, helps in blood circulation and blood clotting, not to mention it's well-known importance for healthy bones and teeth. Potassium and magnesium aid in muscle contraction and regulate the heartbeat offering possible protection from heart attack. Zinc, a very important mineral, being a constituent of 200 enzymes in the body and essential for DNA and RNA as well as growth and healing plays a large role in our general health. The minerals also are vital for acid alkaline balance in the body.

Another very overlooked nutritional element essential for health is water, 6-8 glasses a day is recommended and it is unfortunate that some see this as an extreme. Water makes up some 60%+ of our bodies and is essential in the digestive process, the lubricating of eyes etc., the brain and blood also contain large amounts of water so if an individual wants to be healthy, they need to drink water.

As important as correct nutrition is with regard to consumption and assimilation of the right nutrients, some benefits of which have been seen above, we also need to consider the fact that incorrect nutrition will have a detrimental effect on our bodies. For example, it is accepted fact that the wrong types of fats, refined foods such as white products, alcohol, smoking and many other factors lead to clogged arteries, heart disease, vastly increased cancer risk, obesity, osteoporosis, mental problems, skin problems and a host of other complaints. This is why correct balanced nutrition is so essential and so lacking in our society today.

Of course, apart from the direct benefits that the right amounts and types of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats and proteins etc. have directly on our bodies, there are also other areas where nutrition plays a major part. For example, fitness and exercise, which perhaps in itself could be seen as a kind of nutrient, is directly affected by our food intake since our performance when exercising and therefore the results gained are influenced by the nutrients available in the body. Food intolerances and allergies that can be a result of them, could in many cases be avoided by consuming the right kinds of foods in the first place. Not eating refined and highly processed foods, very hot or very cold food, etc., all contribute to this factor. Then there is the immune system itself which relies greatly upon vitamins and minerals for it's hormone production, meaning that stress can be alleviated with the correct balance of these. Particularly worth mentioning here is vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid, research showed that a lack of this in humans caused considerable hormone upsets. The woman suffering from PMS can also benefit greatly from a diet which is rich in complex carbohydrates that are taken at regular intervals, instead of consuming snacks of chocolate etc., another example of correct nutritional benefits.

With all the above said, we can see the vital benefits that correct nutrition has to the body. What, then, is correct nutrition? A balanced intake of complex carbohydrates consisting of wholegrain products, cruciferous and other vegetables that contain vital phytonutrients, as well as fruits of all types. An adequate supply of proteins coming from such things as fish and poultry products, nuts and seeds. All the correct fats such as the essential fatty acids which include omega-6 and omega-3 as well as monounsaturated and other fats. Then there is the need for adequate water intake as already stated as well as some fibre too. With this foundation in place, correct nutrition can then be enhanced with the use of vitamin and mineral supplements as well as other appropriate measures like herbs.

In our current world today, there is a huge deficiency of the correct nutrients due to chemical pollution, smoke pollution, refining techniques in food, pesticides and a host of other factors. As a result of this and since correct nutrition is so important for our lives, we need to ensure that we are helping ourselves by taking the full range of nutrients in optimum amounts and subsequently, becoming what we eat.

In the meantime, stay healthy.

- Paul Spencer Dip. (Clinical Nutrition)

Paul Spencer is available for one-to-one custom diet plans, advice and nutritional coaching for all individuals, including sports athletes, actors, etc. He can be contacted at nutritionist@optimalhealth.co.uk.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article has been written for educational purposes only. Before undertaking any form of diet or exercise regime you should consult your doctor before commencement, particularly if there is an underlying medical condition.