Optimized nutrition provides our bodies with all of the essential vitamins and minerals required for good health, helping prevent chronic health conditions as well as strengthening immunity.
Nutritional research lacks the rigor of medicine, with food composition changes making results difficult to compare across studies and leading to endless arguments over which nutrients are heroes or villains.
1. Strong bones and healthy muscles
Just like muscles, bones need nourishment and exercise in order to remain strong. A diet rich in calcium and vitamin D as well as strength training helps ensure strong bones from head to toe.
Optimized nutrition has become the focus of recent discussions regarding adequate nutrition, with optimal nutrition taking over from survival as the goal. Eating a nutrient-dense diet tailored to your caloric requirements allows you to achieve this by increasing satiety, increasing energy, and improving vitality.
To maintain optimal bone health, eating a diet rich in vegetables as well as proteins such as fish and lean meats is key. Furthermore, including weight-bearing impact exercises into your routine is also key for maintaining strong bones.
2. Better mental health
Research has established a direct link between diet and mental health. A diet rich in a range of fruits and vegetables has been associated with improved mood states and lower rates of depression.
As you age, your nutrient requirements will change and it is important to consult a healthcare provider in order to establish what would provide optimal nourishment for both body and mind. They will be able to recommend which vitamins and supplements would best benefit you.
Optimized nutrition contributes to better mental health by decreasing the risk of numerous medical conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and osteoporosis. Furthermore, optimal nutrition also plays a part in preventing or treating mental health disorders such as stress anxiety and depression. Future research may reveal more targeted methods doctors can use to boost patient mental wellbeing; but for now a healthy diet remains an integral component.
3. Easier to reach and maintain a healthy weight
A healthy diet should include lean proteins, whole grains, vegetables and fruits – such as nuts – in order to provide your body with optimal fuel and reduce your risk of weight-related health problems.
Optimized nutrition also strengthens your immune system, making it easier to fight off chronic diseases and remain healthy as we age. In recent years, adequate nutrition has given way to the concept of functional foods (FFs), which have both nutritional and nonnutritional components to promote and protect health.
Optimized nutrition involves eating a well-rounded diet of nutritious foods that provide holistic benefits for mind, body and spirit wellness. This allows you to live a long and fruitful life. Furthermore, optimal nutrition helps ensure a healthy weight which reduces your risk of serious diseases or conditions that could threaten life itself.
4. Lowers your risk of chronic disease
Optimized nutrition can play a pivotal role in the prevention and management of chronic illness. Cardiovascular diseases, cancers and diabetes mellitus are leading causes of mortality worldwide and account for much of our annual healthcare spending1.
Poor diet is often the source of many chronic health conditions, with an unhealthy diet being one of the primary risk factors for these illnesses. A healthy eating plan includes lean proteins, whole grains, low-fat dairy products and plenty of fruits, vegetables and non-saturated fats while cutting back on added sugars and salt intake.
Optimized nutrition is also key to successful aging. Studies show that diet has an association between diet and both physical and cognitive functioning among older adults. Nutrient requirements vary among elder populations as they age; optimal nutrition can help address this disparity while decreasing disease risks.
5. Boosts your immune system
As with any army, your immune system armies rely on proper nutrition. A balanced diet that includes an abundance of Vitamin-rich rainbow foods as well as other sources of immune-enhancing nutrients is key to keeping your immune system strong enough to fight infections quickly and recover efficiently.
Studies indicate that deficiencies of vitamin A, C and E as well as zinc, selenium, copper and the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid impair immunity and increase susceptibility to infection. A healthy diet supplemented with these micronutrients within recommended upper safety limits can support optimal immune functioning while helping minimize incidence and impact of infections.
Although a healthy diet cannot prevent you from contracting the virus, it certainly increases your odds of fighting it off if it does come.
