by Importance of India medical nutrition
Nutrition plays an extremely important role in maintaining good health and preventing diseases. What we eat on a daily basis impacts our overall wellbeing and directly influences whether we remain healthy or develop medical issues. In India, where disease burdens related to malnutrition and lifestyle diseases are high, adopting optimal nutrition practices takes on added significance. Nutritious diets help boost immunity, reduce inflammation in the body, manage chronic conditions and aid recovery from illness or surgery. Medical professionals now recognize nutrition as a vital tool in treatment and recovery complementing medicines.
Macronutrients – Carbohydrates, Proteins and Fats
The three macronutrients – carbohydrates, proteins and fats – are the primary sources of calories and India medical nutrition our bodies need for fuel, growth, repair and maintenance. Getting an ideal balance and supply of these macronutrients is necessary for overall health. Carbohydrates from whole grains, vegetables and fruits provide quick energy while proteins from pulses, dairy, eggs, fish and meat help build muscles and support organ function. Fats, especially unsaturated types from oils, nuts and seafood, deliver calories and support absorption of fat soluble vitamins. Doctors may recommend adjustments in macronutrient intake based on medical conditions like diabetes, kidney disease or weight related issues.
Micronutrients – Vitamins and Minerals
In addition to macronutrients, micronutrients play an equally important supporting role. Micronutrients comprise vitamins and minerals which enable biochemical reactions and maintain cellular health despite being required in very small amounts. Deficiencies in micronutrients weaken immunity and increase infection risk. For instance, lack of iron can lead to anemia while vitamin D deficiency causes bone issues like rickets. Medical nutrition aims to cover all micronutrient requirements through a balanced diet or supplements under supervision. Fruits and vegetables, pulses, milk, egg yolk, organ meats are natural sources of many vitamins and minerals.
Therapeutic Diet Plans
Certain medical conditions necessitate specially designed diet plans under the guidance of a clinical nutritionist or dietitian. These therapeutic diets focus on controlling symptoms, managing the disease progression and facilitating recovery. Low fat, low salt, low sugar, high protein diets find application in diseases affecting heart, kidneys, liver and other organs. Other examples include gluten free diet for celiac disease, ketogenic diet for epilepsy and balanced chemo diet during cancer treatment. Therapeutic medical diets restrict or replace certain foods while promoting consumption of others to positively impact treatment outcomes.
Traditional India medical nutrition
The traditional Indian diet exemplifies principles of healthy and balanced nutrition. It relies majorly on plant based foods like whole cereals, millets, lentils, beans, vegetables and fruits which are excellent sources of carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals and fiber. Inclusions of moderate amounts of dairy, poultry, eggs and fish provide high quality protein and fats. Spices like turmeric, ginger and pepper added during cooking impart powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Regular consumption of such a whole food Indian diet prevents deficiencies and reduces risk of chronic diseases supporting overall wellness. Doctors encourage patients to follow closely traditional balanced nutrition principles.
Lifestyle Diseases – Obesity, Diabetes, CVD
Unfortunately, the nutrition scenario in India is transitioning due to rapid urbanization and lifestyle changes. Traditional whole foods are getting replaced by processed junk varieties high in unhealthy fats, sugar and salt. Physical activity levels too have dropped substantially. As a result, lifestyle diseases like obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular problems have risen exponentially. Overweight individuals are advised modifications like controlled calories, more plant based low GI carbs and lean proteins to attain healthy weight. Diet management forms the foundation of diabetes and heart disease treatment emphasizing on nutritious balanced choices. Medical nutrition helps tackle the root cause of lifestyle issues.
Role of Clinical Nutrition Experts
With diet playing such a vital role in health, clinical nutrition is emerging as a specialty medical field. Trained dietitians and nutritionists work closely with doctors to evaluate patient profiles, design customized nutritional interventions and ensure prescribed diet plans are effectively implemented and followed. They educate patients and caregivers about underlying conditions, interpret lab results, monitor nutritional status and progress, answer all food and supplement related queries. Nutritional counseling helps achieve desired clinical outcomes faster. More hospitals are incorporating full time clinical nutrition departments recognizing their role in effective patient management.
In conclusion, focusing on evidence based medical nutrition principles has immense potential to alleviate the burden of diseases in India. Adopting the traditional balanced Indian diet model, consulting clinical nutrition experts and making intelligent modifications depending on medical issues can aid overall wellness, treatment response and quality of life. An empowered populace making informed dietary choices is the need of the hour.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public Source, Desk Research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it.
