Basic Nutrition Truths

      To learn how nutrition can improve health, let’s first look at some basic nutrition truths:

1.  You are what you eat.  Every human body has the same basic nutrition needs for protein, vitamins, minerals, fats, carbohydrates, water, and oxygen.  We get nutrients from the foods and drinks we consume.  Organic, naturally grown, unprocessed, unrefined foods provide the highest quality nutrients.  The closer the food is to its raw, fresh, natural state, the higher the quality and quantity of nutrition delivered to the body.

2.  The human body requires essential nutrients every 3 to 4 hours throughout the day, at breakfast, lunch, dinner, and in between.

3.  Healthy digestion requires a large supply of water.  In addition, we need bile and digestive enzymes juices for complete digestion of nutrients from the food we eat.  Vitamins and minerals are vital to releasing energy during the metabolism of food.

4.  Probiotics (good bacteria) encourage complete digestion of food, a healthy colon and a strong immune system.  An imbalance causes the entire digestive system to not work right, which in turn causes digestive disturbances, stomach distress, irregularity, and bowel irritability.  This can lead to degenerative conditions in other organs.

5.  Stress, alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, and medications can impair digestion and absorption of nutrients.  On the other hand, a positive mental attitude, exercise, and pleasant, unpolluted surroundings enhance, as well as improve, healthy digestion.

6.  Individual needs are determined by sex, age, lifestyle habits, activities, and environment.  Children’s nutritional needs change throughout the growing years.

7.  To guarantee a 100 percent Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of all essential nutrients, you need to take in a minimum of 2,000 calories every single day.  RDAs are guidelines based on the nutrient needs of the average, healthy, young, adult male.  They are the minimum levels of nutrients needed to prevent deficiencies.  It is essential that people who eat fewer and/or lower quality calories take supplements.

8.  During illness the human body needs increased nutrition.  Serious illnesses can lead to nutritional consequences resulting in organ malfunction.  Serious illnesses demand aggressive nutritional support and optimum supplementation.  A vitamin pill or two a day will not do the job.  This is not a time to make excuses.

9.  Healing takes time, patience, and absolute confidence in the body’s ability to heal itself.  The job of nutrition is to nourish and support the the cells that repair, rebuild, recover, and restore bodily functions so you can enjoy optimal health.

10.  The human body is designed to express health, wellness, and longevity.  We are given only one body and once chance to live as fully as possible.