A Guide to Good Health - What is Nutrition?

A Guide to Good Health - What is Nutrition?

Everyone wants good health. However, not everyone shares a common definition of health, although a common starting point for any definition would have to include the term “nutrition.” Proper nutrition is required to keep the human body functioning, but what is nutrition? Simply put, nutrition is everything we consume that contributes to our health. Nutrition is all the vitamins, minerals and foods that meet the basic needs of life.

In other words, good nutrition is key to preventing a variety of health problems. The food we consume can either serve to prevent disease or promote negative health problems. Physical problems, from chronic fatigue to skin and hair problems, are often linked to nutritional problems. A balanced diet ensures that nutrients are properly distributed to all areas of the body. Conversely, an imbalance contributes to everything from feeling too tired to get up in the morning to male impotence. The secret is to find a balance that helps maintain a quality of life that only comes from good health.

The human body requires many elements to function properly - to eat properly. At the top of the list is water, followed by carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Each of the elements has the function of keeping the human body healthy, and an excess or deficiency of any one element can have negative health consequences. While there are arguments about which of these are most important, the simple fact is that we need to focus on finding a balance that meets the needs of the human body.

Diet is the main element in maintaining a healthy nutritional balance. While some nutrients can be obtained from consuming supplements, the foods available should be intended to meet the body's normal requirements. By knowing our nutritional needs, we can choose foods that meet those needs. Unfortunately, this ability does not always come naturally. Every consumer must take the time to be aware of how the human body works and which foods perform these functions properly.

Only when nutritional needs are properly met can people maintain their health and protect themselves from illness. And only by recognizing that the human body is essentially an engine that requires certain fuels can a person enjoy good health. Vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins and fats are the fuels that ensure the smooth functioning of the human body. By educating ourselves about which foods provide these nutrients, our collective health can be improved and our quality of life improved accordingly.