Role of dietary factors in health and wellbeing
The role of correct diet in disease prevention and maintaining health and wellbeing is strongly supported through extensive research and clinical evidence. Many epidemiological studies demonstrate the importance of dietary factors in prophylaxis and treatment of various chronic and degenerative conditions.
Comprehensive reviews summarising the outcomes of clinical trials, observational cohort and case-control studies and other investigations https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4548034/, https://www.bmj.com/content/361/bmj.k2396,
https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/25/20/4746/htm, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0735109718352926?via%3Dihub highlight the impact of appropriate food patterns and specific nutrients on the incidence of different diseases. Nutritional patterns influence the immune status, metabolic processes, weight control, sports performance, training endurance, stress tolerance, skin conditions and many other health and wellbeing parameters. These findings however often become neglected and are not reflected in the official dietary guidelines. This issue hence requires appropriate professional recommendations to compensate for potential deficiencies.
Key dietary factors
- Nutritional balance including energy intake, main nutrients, vitamins, macro- and microelements, essential and non-essential amino acids, fibre and other constituents and their specific forms and ratios
- Types and frequency of foods consumed
- Proportion of raw fruits and vegetables in the daily rations
- Minimal food processing practices
- Total antioxidant capacity
- Phytonutrient content such as flavonoids and other polyphenols
These factors have a high significance for disease prophylaxis and treatment. Knowledge of them would allow to introduce appropriate dietary modifications. We will review this and other subjects about healthy lifestyle and its modifications in more details and provide recommendations in subsequent blogs so stay tuned and attentive.