Lynn works with nutritionist and sees huge health benefits
At her first visit to a nutritionist, Lynn (53), just had one goal: "I need to get healthy!" Her cholesterol was elevated (including triglycerides), and she had taken Lipitor for five years. Her blood pressure had been elevated in the past. She had acid reflux and had been on Zantac for 15 years.
She slept poorly and experienced sleep apnea and extreme fatigue. She was taking hormone replacement therapy for hormonal headaches that had plagued her for years. She had experienced swollen, painful joints for many years, which had developed into osteoarthritis. Her bowels tended toward constipation, and she craved bread and sweets.
The nutritionist noted her systemic inflammation, water retention, swelling, and constipation and suspected a food sensitivity. She suggested that Lynn eliminate corn, dairy, and wheat from her diet; keep track of her body's reaction to the changes; and then gradually introduce these foods one at a time.
When Lynn returned four weeks later, she had determined through the elimination diet that she had a corn sensitivity. Since eliminating corn, she reported feeling much better, and the pain in her back and legs had diminished. Her constipation was relieved and much of the swelling and fluid retention also improved. Lynn reported that "I lost only five pounds, but I feel smaller."
Returning at eight weeks, Lynn reported that the, "changes have been easy." She had lost 20 pounds and her energy was much improved: "I wake up ready for the day." She was walking a mile and a half each day and her cravings for sugar had also diminished, much to her delight. She reported feeling more in control of her eating.
At 12 weeks, Lynn said the changes were becoming habit. "I feel so much better." Her energy continued to improve; she had lost a total of 27 pounds, and she experienced less pain.
FAQs
If we get too much food, or food that gives our bodies the wrong instructions, we can become overweight, undernourished, and at risk for the development of diseases and conditions, such as arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease. In short, what we eat is central to our health.
How does food affect health and wellbeing? ›
A well-balanced diet provides all of the: energy you need to keep active throughout the day. nutrients you need for growth and repair, helping you to stay strong and healthy and help to prevent diet-related illness, such as some cancers.
How does the food you eat affect your health and quality of life? ›
A varied, healthy diet can feed your gut bacteria, improve gut health and help lower inflammation. Chronic inflammation from an unhealthy diet can lead to many health problems, including depression.
How does being healthy affect your wellbeing? ›
Eating well helps give you more energy. It also helps you sleep better, improves your concentration and, you guessed it, keep a healthy headspace.
How does selecting the food you eat affect your health and wellness? ›
Eating a wide variety of healthy foods helps to keep you in good health and protects you against chronic disease. Eating a well-balanced diet means eating a variety of foods from each of the 5 food groups daily, in the recommended amounts. It is also important to choose a variety of foods from within each food group.
How can food affect peoples health? ›
If we get too much food, or food that gives our bodies the wrong instructions, we can become overweight, undernourished, and at risk for the development of diseases and conditions, such as arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease. In short, what we eat is central to our health.
How does food affect the mind as well as the body? ›
Our brains function best when we eat a nutritious and balanced diet. Our genes can impact how our bodies absorb and process nutrients, how we respond to stress (our immediate stress response as well), how we sleep, and even the number of good bacteria we have in our guts.
How does eating healthy affect human life? ›
A healthy diet is essential for good health and nutrition. It protects you against many chronic noncommunicable diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Eating a variety of foods and consuming less salt, sugars and saturated and industrially-produced trans-fats, are essential for healthy diet.
How does eating healthy affect your mental health? ›
When you stick to a diet of nutrient-rich foods, you're setting yourself up for fewer mood swings and an improved ability to focus. Studies have even found that clean diets consisting of mainly whole, unprocessed foods, can help with symptoms of depression and anxiety.
How does food affect health and life expectancy? ›
Consuming less sugar-sweetened beverages and processed meats and eating more whole grains and nuts were estimated to result in the biggest improvements in life expectancy.
Here are 9 healthy foods that may boost your mood.
- Fatty fish. Omega-3 fatty acids are a group of essential fats that you must obtain through your diet because your body can't produce them on its own. ...
- Dark chocolate. ...
- Fermented foods. ...
- Bananas. ...
- Oats. ...
- Berries. ...
- Nuts and seeds. ...
- Coffee.
Top 15 healthy foods you should be eating
- Fish. ...
- Broccoli or any of the cruciferous vegetables. ...
- Beets. ...
- Spinach and other leafy green vegetables. ...
- Kale. ...
- Peanut butter. ...
- Almonds. ...
- Mangos.
This means your brain requires a constant supply of fuel. That "fuel" comes from the foods you eat — and what's in that fuel makes all the difference. Put simply, what you eat directly affects the structure and function of your brain and, ultimately, your mood.
How does food affect our overall well-being? ›
A healthy, well-balanced diet can help us think clearly and feel more alert. It can also improve concentration and attention span. Conversely, an inadequate diet can lead to fatigue, impaired decision-making, and can slow down reaction time.
How does nutrition affect health and wellness? ›
Nutrition is a critical part of health and development. Better nutrition is related to improved infant, child and maternal health, stronger immune systems, safer pregnancy and childbirth, lower risk of non-communicable diseases (such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease), and longevity.
How do food systems affect health? ›
People Get Sick Because Specific Foods They Eat Are Unsafe for Consumption. Ingestion of contaminated foods is the most direct and obvious health impact of our current food system. Bacteria, viruses, chemical agents, toxins, and parasites lead to gastrointestinal, respiratory, neurological, and other illnesses.
How does the food we eat affect our health and the health of the planet? ›
Our diets are taking a significant toll on the planet. Current food systems are leading to rapid biodiversity loss and are contributing to climate change, water degradation and deforestation.
What is the role of food in health and healing? ›
Food plays a crucial role in healing by providing essential nutrients that support the body's repair processes and immune system.
At her first visit to a nutritionist, Lynn (53), just had one goal: "I need to get healthy!" Her cholesterol was elevated (including triglycerides), and she had taken Lipitor for five years. Her blood pressure had been elevated in the past. She had acid reflux and had been on Zantac for 15 years.