A diet that causes chronic disease
- Posted on 21/08/2023 10:25
- Film
- By abelozih@sante-education.tg
Extract from the article: According to the results of a study by the University of Washington, poor nutrition is the cause of one in five deaths worldwide. In Togo, unbalanced nutrition is a growing social problem. It is the cause of numerous illnesses, both psychological and
According to the results of a study by the University
of Washington, poor nutrition is the cause of one in five deaths worldwide. In
Togo, unbalanced nutrition is a growing social problem. It is the cause of
numerous illnesses, both psychological and pathological or chronic. There are
some very important causes that are given more consideration than others. But
in reality, consequences such as chronic fatigue and lack of energy that are
considered minor have repercussions on daily life and quality of life.
There are six main food categories: carbohydrates are
represented by starches, cereals and tubers. Animal proteins are represented by
meat, eggs, fish, cheese, dairy products and poultry, while vegetable proteins
are represented by beans, potatoes, lentils and soy. Vitamins and minerals are
represented by water, beverages, fruit and vegetables. Fatty acids and
fat-soluble vitamins.
Carbohydrates provide the energy needed to sustain
life and all the body's activities. Proteins provide the resources needed to
build new tissue, grow and maintain the body.Dairy products provide the calcium
needed for the growth of bones and teeth.All these elements are essential for
the body to function properly.
What is a poor diet?
« A poor diet is defined as an excessive intake
of sugar, saturated fatty acids and salt, or a diet lacking in fruit and
vegetables. Unbalanced diet is a very
recurrent disorder that we all suffer from without even realizing it », stresses
Coura Yasmine Sandrine Zerbo, Nutritionist-Dietician, Specialist in Clinical
Nutrition and Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition, Consultant and expert in dietetics.An
unbalanced diet creates nutritional deficiencies. These nutritional
deficiencies can have very serious consequences on health. « They can
lead to stunted growth, impaired cognitive and emotional development, as well
as chronic disorders such as chronic fatigue and lack of energy, which we don't
often talk about », says Coura Yasmine Sandrine Zerbo,
Nutritionist-Dietician, Specialist in Clinical Nutrition and Enteral and
Parenteral Nutrition.
Because of our lifestyles, many diseases are linked to
a poor diet. Obesity, obesity, excess cholesterol, diabetes, hypertension,
cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and cancer are just some of the disorders
caused by an unbalanced diet. In Togo, the prevalence rate of hypertension is
30.5%. A very high figure.Many patients are unaware of this and never consult a
specialist.
Beware of chronic fatigue and lack of energy
Chronic fatigue is a psychological or pathological
illness that causes weariness, lack of energy and a feeling of
emptiness.According to Coura Yasmine Sandrine Zerbo, « chronic fatigue
has many causes.Sometimes due to lack of sleep or constant stress, chronic
fatigue exhausts the body as much as the brain and mind.Apart from all these
causes, there is another cause of fatigue that is not often mentioned. This is
poor nutrition. In fact, the poor distribution of energy intake throughout the
day can be the source of a pronounced feeling of chronic fatigue.In reality,
energy levels are strongly linked to our diet.An unbalanced diet is therefore a
direct obstacle to a lack of energy ».
In fact, the food we eat is transformed into energy
and distributed throughout the body to keep it functioning. Brain cells are the
most energy-intensive, since that's where it all starts. To ensure a balanced diet and healthy eating
habits, « it's important to take into account the glycemic index of
foods.By eating frequently and in a balanced way, we help our body to regulate
energy levels.The equitable distribution of this energy enables us to function
properly, both biologically and physically.A lack of energy diminishes our
capacity to function and makes us moody », recommends the
dietician-nutritionist.It prevents us from achieving the day's goals, which can
be very frustrating and stressful.
Recommendations for healthy eating and a balanced diet
It's possible
to combat unhealthy eating simply by adopting a healthy, balanced diet. To
achieve this, the specialist in Clinical Nutrition and enteral and parenteral
Nutrition, makes a few recommendations: Eat at least three times a day at
intervals of 3 to 4 hours.According to dieticians, it's important to have a
well-defined eating routine.This allows the body to plan ahead and function
better.In fact, a normal man should eat at least 3 times a day.Always start
with breakfast, which is the most important meal of the day. A balanced
breakfast fills you up with energy for a radiant day. Lunch should be balanced,
with cereals, proteins and the vegetables of your choice, while dinner should
be rather light, as we digest less in the evening.Fatty foods should be
avoided, as they are merely the manifestation of a poor diet.What's more,
digestion is a function of the body that consumes a lot of energy.Snacking
should not be neglected, but it is not an essential meal. Prefer nutritious
meals rich in carbohydrates and protein. Foods rich in carbohydrates and
protein provide the most energy.Avoid sweet foods.When hunger strikes during
the day, we turn to chocolate bars or sodas for a quick energy boost.But this
is bad nutrition.By consuming sugary foods, we gain energy on the spot, but
that energy falls off very quickly and we'll be hungry again.What's more, sugar
is not good for your health.Drink plenty of water.Eat enough fruit and
vegetables, which are rich in antioxidants that protect against disease.This is
the most important tip in the fight against unhealthy eating.The body is 70%
water, so it's important to keep it well nourished.
At every meal, it's essential to incorporate all the
food groups.Each food group has a specific role to play. So it's important not
to forget any of them. Energy levels are directly linked to what we eat, so we
need to opt for a balanced diet.
Abel OZIH