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A diet that causes chronic disease

A diet that causes chronic disease
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

 

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santé éducation
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Abel OZIH

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

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