THE IMPORTANCE OF NUTRITION
In 1988, the U.S. Surgeon General’s report on nutrition and health stated that
diet-related diseases account for over two-thirds of all deaths in America. We have become a nation OVERFED yet UNDERNOURISHED. The reasons are numerous and diverse:
- Lack of Knowledge (understanding)
- Conflicting reports
- Self-promoting interests
- Upbringing
- Lifestyles
- Apathy
- Length of incubation time for chronic disease to manifest
(e.g. heart disease, osteoporosis, cancers)
- Nutrient deficient foods
- Eating patterns that are thoughtless
- Chemically altered foods
- Genetically mutated crops
Of the four necessary paradigms of health enrichment
(nutrition, rest, exercise, stress control), I
am convinced the nourishment of the human
body comprises 50% of the equation. The remaining three paradigms make up the other 50%.
Total caloric needs and protein requirements make
up the foundation in creating your personal eating plan.
The protein content of a personal eating plan is diverse and
unique from individual to individual.
Examples:
Lean tissue (more muscle, more protein)
General activity (more active, more protein)
- Note: The high catabolic effect of an active versus a sedentary lifestyle
-
demands adequate protein intake.
VITAL REASONS WHY PROTEIN IS NECESSARY
- The major constituent of every living cell in the body
- Essential for growth and repair
- Drives the body’s catabolism/anabolism cycle. When we exercise, our muscle tissue is broken down into a process called catabolism and later rebuilt into a process called anabolism.
- Hair, nails, skin and muscle are made of protein. The inner structure of bone is protein.
- Enzymes and hormones are all or part protein.
- Protein has a high specific dynamic action on the metabolism
- Protein helps to regulate our body’s water balance
- Protein strengthens the immune system. Antibodies are blood proteins that help prevent and control infections.
PERSONAL NOTE
In 1989, when my cholesterol was 399, I realized
I would have to make dramatic changes in my eating habits.
At that time, my knowledge and understanding of nutritional
science was zero. A military axiom: To find the solution,
you must first understand the problem.
PROBLEM:
Cholesterol Reading of 399
UNDERSTANDING:
My eating patterns were free-form and careless.
I ate for taste, convenience and pleasure.
I enjoyed high fat foods, sugar foods and used salt liberally.
In my nutrition studies, I learned our bodies have a built-in biological (chemical) craving for fat, sugar and salt. This explained my addiction. These nutrients are naturally found in whole foods because they are a necessary ingredient in obtaining optimal health. Unfortunately, my overindulgence of these nutrients in their
processed form was abating my quality of life.
SOLUTION:
Dietary changes can be difficult.
It was hard to change years of eating a certain way.
My dependence on sugar, fat and salt was a firm fixation.
LIFE IS ALL ABOUT CHOICES. A CHOICE HAD TO BE MADE:
- 1. I could choose to give in to my addiction and accept the consequences.
- 2. I could choose to modify my obsession and make some changes.
- 3. I could choose to value my health, show respect for my
- body and make the necessary changes.
"My current state of well-being (Present Cholesterol Reading of 172)
is directly attributed to CHOICE # 3."
LIVE STRONG -- LIVE LONG!
Roger
Nutrition Packages