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Get
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| Nutrition
Articles |
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How
to Obtain Optimal Health
You should already know that
nutrition is very important to your quality of life. If you want to
have a healthy life and lifestyle, you will need to have a healthy diet
with proper nutrition. You might hear all the time that your nutrition
greatly affects the way you live and your quality of life but have you
ever really thought about why? Do you really understand why it is so
important?
If you really want to take the steps to live the long life that you
deserve and to be as healthy as possible and enjoy those years, than
you need to learn all you can about the importance of optimal
nutrition. What you eat really affects your body and health.
1. What is optimal nutrition?
2. What nutrients do you need to be healthy?
3. What foods give you these nutrients? |
Importance of
Optimal Nutrition
Optimal nutrition is very important to your overall health and fitness.
Studies have shown that people can actually live longer if they have
healthy nutrition. It is proven that there is a link between optimal
nutrition and long life and long term health.
If you take a look at society, you will notice an increasingly large
number of people that are overweight and obese. You will also see
problems such as poor teeth and acne, dry, brittle skin, dry hair and
other problems. You will find many people on medications for headache,
stomach problems, acid reflux, constipation, heart disease, high blood
pressure and more. What may be more alarming than the high amount of
medications is the fact that most people receive very little
information about what is actually causing their disease or condition.
Instead, they get a pill.
What many people never know is that what they are eating (or not
eating) can be causing these health problems. You also need to
understand that you will have to make changes and adjustments to your
intake over the years and stages of your life. Just like toddlers need
a different diet from teenagers, you also need to alter your diet as
you continue through all of life's stages. Understanding what is best
for you through each stage of your life is the best way to remain in
optimal health.
Micro and
Macronutrients
Many people hear that they need proper
nutrition but just what does that mean exactly? What nutrients do you
need to be healthy? Optimal nutrition will include a variety of
different micronutrients and macronutrients. Micronutrients include
certain vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Macronutrients include
carbohydrates, proteins and fats that make up the foods you eat.
There is too often a lot of myth surrounding the nutrients, our bodies
and how we use these nutrients. This is why it is very important that
you get all the facts when planning to change your lifestyle and diet.
Many people are suffering from malnutrition and may not even know it.
Many overweight individuals may be suffering from malnutrition. Just
because you are eating does not mean you are eating the right things.
Micronutrients are the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that your
body needs to be healthy. The specific ones and amounts of each will
depend on your body, sex, age and other factors. Every person is
different so there is not one set plan that works for everyone. You
need to learn what works for you. As you change, grow older, etc. this
will change again and you will continue to have to adjust this.
Macronutrients are the carbs, proteins and fats that you get from
foods. The amounts of these that you need will vary as well. This is
where many myths come in about what you should or should not eat. The
facts are that too much of anyone can be bad and not enough can be bad.
It's all about finding a balance. This means those "All-Carb" or "No
Carb" diets that are so popular on the market are really not the best
thing for you.
What you choose to ingest in your body has a big impact on your overall
health and your general well-being. People now eat more fast foods and
frozen dinners and other quick meals that are not very nutritious at
all. Some of these foods even have additives in them that can make them
addictive so that you want more and more. People typically eat out of
hunger and many of these foods do not work to satisfy your hunger
leaving you wanting more or something else. Yet, they still have many
calories and fat and other things that your body does not need.
Make the
Committment
If you are serious in obtaining optimal
health to the best of your ability, then take a look at your lifestyle
in general. Are you eating the right foods? Are you exercising? Are you
getting plenty of fresh air on a daily basis? Do you have positive
relationships? If you find yourself answering "no" to these questions,
then make the commitment to change. Talk with your family, friends, or
a nutritionist. Check to see if there are support groups in your area
related to health and lifestyle changes. Look into joining your local
gym. Do your research and then purchase the right nutritional
supplements that will help you achieve your goals.
If you at least try to make a change in one area, more are sure to
follow! You are now on your way to optimal health.
Author Bio
Monique Hawkins is an Associate with
USANA Health Sciences. One of her passions is encouraging and
supporting others to obtain optimal health and wellness. Visit her
USANA website at www.whyusana.com/mhawkins and her new music box
website at www.my-music-box.com
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