Nutrition and Disease

http://nutritionlaymansstyle.blogspot.com/2015/04/who-knew-that-nutrition-affected.html

Nutrition, diet, and eating habits have a direct connection to health. Choosing to eat a poor diet and not participate in exercise can have a significant negative affect on how the body works and fights off disease and illness. While some diseases are not preventable because of genetics or other factors, the diet can still affect how the body handles the disease. Other diseases can be prevented with a healthy diet. Malnutrition can be a factor in how easily a person gets sick and their ability to fight off disease and infection. "Once a person becomes malnourished, malnutrition often worsens disease, which, in turn, worsens malnutrition" (Sizer & Whitney, 2013).

Cardiovascular Disease and Nutrition

Cardiovascular disease is an issue in America, where more than 82 million people suffer from some form of cardiovascular disease. How does nutrition affect the heart, and the diseases that affect the vital organ? Eating foods that are high in cholesterol and bad fats leads to a build-up of plaque in the arteries. The plaque causes the arteries to clog leading to heart attack and stroke. These conditions can be reversed or prevented with eating the healthy fats and omega-3 fatty acids. People that suffer from blood pressure issues, diabetes, obesity, drink alcohol in excess, and have diets high in saturated and trans fats are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease. 

Herbal Heart Health Tea
- 1 part hawthorn berries
- 1 part linden berry
- 1 part lime blossom
- 1 part yarrow


Need some help changing diet to support heart healthy, check out this site for some help:

American Heart Association: Cooking For a Healthy Heart

Diet and Hypertension

Diet also affects blood pressure, and poor diet can lead to hypertension or high blood pressure. As well as diet, living a sedentary life can be a large risk factor in hypertension. Diets with high levels of sodium can contribute to high blood pressure, and many of the fast food items that are part of a poor diet, are extremely high in sodium content. Alcohol use and stress can also raise blood pressure and make the condition worse. High blood pressure also contributes to cardiovascular issues, as well as heart attack and stroke. Weight is directly related to hypertension; "More than half of people with hypertension- an estimated 60 percent- are obese. Obesity raises blood pressure in part by altering kidney functions, increasing blood volume, and promoting blood vessel damage through insulin resistance" (Sizer & Whitney, 2013, pg. 439). Changes in diet can reverse the blood pressure or work to prevent it from becoming an issue. “The results of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension trial show that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and low-fat milk products and low in total fat and saturated fat can significantly lower blood pressure” (Sizer & Whitney, 2014, p. 440).

Hibiscus is a great natural alternative to help maintain a healthy blood pressure, try out this great recipe for a refreshing tea from Eating Well Magazine. Link to EatingWell Website

Hibiscus-Pomegranate Iced Tea

From EatingWell:  July/August 2009

INGREDIENTS

• 1/4 cup loose hibiscus tea, or 12 herbal tea bags that contain hibiscus
• 4 cups boiling water
• 1 cup pomegranate juice or nectar
• 4 cups cold water
• Lemon wedges, for garnish

• PREPARATION

1. Steep loose tea (or tea bags) in boiling water for 3 to 5 minutes.
2. Strain the tea (or remove tea bags) and pour into a large pitcher. Stir in pomegranate juice (or nectar) and cold water. Refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours. Serve over ice with lemon wedges, if desired.

Diet's Influence on Cancer

Diet affects cancer in the following ways:
- Reduction of the intake of calories reduces cancer risks

- A healthy diet reduces oberisty, which is directly related to cancer risks.
-"Alcohol intake alone raises the risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophogus, and breast, and             alcoholism often damages the liver in ways that promote liver cancer" (Sizer & Whitney, 2013).
- The "good" fats help reduce cancer risks.
- Fiber rich foods work toward cancer prevention.
Fruits and vegetables help protect the body against cancer risks. 

Reference:

American Heart Association. (2015). Simply Cooking with Heart. Retrieved from Getting Healthy : http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/HealthyCooking/Simple-Cooking-with-Heart-Home-Page_UCM_430043_SubHomePage.jsp

EatingWell. (2009). Hibiscus-Pomegranate Iced Tea. Retrieved from http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/hibiscus_pomegranate_iced_tea.html

Sizer, F. S., & Whitney, E. (2014). Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies. Belmont, CA: Wadesworth.

Images:

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