The role of Nutrition in daily life

Nutritional Therapy concerns the role that diet has to play in the prevention and treatment of illness. It can be very effective in such diverse conditions as digestive disorders (which are more common than you may think), allergies, asthma, arthritis (particularly rheumatoid arthritis), hormonal problems, hyperactivity, migraine, pre-menstrual syndrome, menopausal symptoms, skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, and many other diseases, even cancer. It is strange to think that so many ailments which are treated with medications, can be helped by something as simple as eating the correct foods.

Nutrition is defined as "the process by which the living organism physiologically absorbs and uses food to ensure growth, energy production and repair of tissues". Water, carbohydrates, proteins and fats are the building blocks of a good diet and, by choosing the healthiest forms of each of these nutrients, and eating them in the proper balance, the body will restore and maintain balance (homeostasis).
Vitamins and minerals are also essential to life and are often referred to as micronutrients, because they are needed in relatively small amounts. The actual amounts required depend on a variety of lifestyle factors - for example, such things as amount of exercise undertaken (too much is as bad as not enough), stress levels, pollution, form of contraception used, smoking, drinking alcohol and, obviously, drug abuse can all have a negative impact on health, and increased supplement levels will probably be required to try to restore balance.

Also, the modern sedentary lifestyle is leading to health problems such as the "obesity epidemic" and heart disease, not to mention nutrition-led problems which are becoming increasingly prevalent, such as candida, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's Disease, colitis and blood sugar imbalances. The good news, however, is that such problems are at least controllable, if not potentially reversible, by good diet and supplementation, and something as simple as drinking more water can have a drastic effect on your health and wellbeing, as many chronic illnesses are caused by dehydration.

Despite the fact that most of our food comes from nutrient-depleted soil (due to over farming), foods with the highest nutritional content include, of course, fresh fruit and vegetables - of course, if you eat organic produce, you will be assured of the best possible nutritional value.

Unsurprisingly, chocolate and sweets are at the low end of this rating scale with high levels of sugar and fat, and absolutely no goodness. Also, some foods generally considered healthy may not be - for example, commercial fruit yoghurt can contain the equivalent of six teaspoons of sugar in each serving. Then, of course, the "junk food" groupings are all high in fat and salt - one pizza contains the total daily requirement of salt; and the filling of just one serving of quiche contains the equivalent of seven teaspoons of lard! Sandwiches - the mainstay of the lunch market - are full of fat and salt and have very few nutrients due to using processed bread and fillings; and very often they are teamed with a packet of crisps and a fizzy drink! Need I say more?

Whilst there is a long way to go before the role of good nutrition is fully appreciated and accepted, it is encouraging that there is a slow but growing awareness of the benefits which may be gained by eating a healthy diet, and the role of the nutritional therapist in leading the way is going to become increasingly important in the years to come.

Kim is studying Nutritional Therapy with The Kevala Centre. She lives in Surrey and currently works as a PA in a City law firm. She plans to set up in practice on qualification.

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