7. Foundations of Nutrition Flashcards
Definition of food
Any nutritious substance that people or animals eat or drink in order to maintain life and growth
Definition of whole foods
Foods that have not been processed or refined
Free from additives or other artificial substances
What is the purpose of food?
Feed and nourish cells
Maintain bodily functions
What is food comprised of?
Vitamins Minerals Proteins Carbs Fats Fibre Phytochemicals Prebiotics Probiotics Enzymes Water
What is a naturopathic nutritionist?
Recognises that every person is an individual that requires a personalised nutritional approach to health
What does naturopathic nutrition focus on?
Use of whole and organic foods as medicine
Importance of detoxification and cleansing
Looking at the constitution of a patient
Finding the root cause of disease
Not just treating a symptom
What is junk food?
Highly processed, chemically altered food substances that provide no nutrients
Not able to maintain health and growth
What does junk food contain?
Artificial colourings
Sweeteners
Pesticides
Chemical additives
What is junk food high in?
Calories Sugar Salt Refined carbs Trans fats
What is junk food low in?
Fibre
Nutrients
What is junk food designed to encourage?
Overeating
due to chemicals they contain
How is junk food detrimental to health and growth?
Doesn’t nourish cells or tissues
Impairs body functions
Reduces life expectancy
Reduces athletic, cognitive, sexual performance
Additive - leads to overeating, malnutrition, disease, early death
Which atopic conditions is junk food implicated in?
Asthma
Eczema
Which hormonal disturbances is junk food implicated in?
T2D PCOS PMS Infertility Menopause
Which skeletal disorders is junk food implicated in?
OA (low on vit c needed for collagen production)
RA
Osteoporosis (energy drinks leach Ca from bones)
Which cardiovascular diseases is junk food implicated in?
Atherosclerosis
Leading to strokes, angina
Which neurological conditions is junk food implicated in?
Migraines
Parkinson’s
AZD
Why is it best to consume grass-fed, organic meat/poultry over grain-fed, factory farmed meats?
Less inflammatory - 2:1 ratio of O6:O3
Has higher conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
Higher vitamin/mineral/amino acid profile
Higher animal welfare standards
Why should we avoid consuming factory farmed, grain-fed meat?
High O6 to O3 ratio - 20:1 - making it inflammatory
High in arachidonic acid
What does conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) help to regulate?
Heart health
Body weight
Blood sugar levels
What are the nutrient benefits of red meat?
Complete protein
B vits
Iron
Zinc
What are the nutrient negatives of eating red meat?
High cholesterol High saturated fats No fibre Requires more energy to be digested placing burden on digestive system Pro-inflammatory Acid forming
Which conditions can pro-inflammatory foods lead to?
Heart disease Diabetes Cancer Arthritis Obesity Alzheimer's Osteoporosis Asthma Impotence
What are the nutrient benefits of eating poultry?
Complete protein B vits Iron Zinc Magnesium Less saturated fat than red Easier to digest than red
What are the negatives of eating poultry?
Food poisoning risk
Often intensively farmed
Poor welfare standards
What are the nutrient benefits of eating eggs?
Selenium A D B6 B12 Iron Zinc Complete protein
What are the nutrient negatives of eating eggs?
High in arachidonic acid
so pro-inflammatory
What are eggs good for supporting?
Brain health Immune system Pregnancy Eye health CV health
What is metabolic syndrome?
Cluster of conditions that occur together, increasing risk of heart disease, stroke and T2D.
These conditions include increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels
What are the nutrient benefits of eating fish?
Complete protein O3 D Selenium B3 B12
Name some oily fish
Sardines Mackerel Anchovies Salmon Herring
What are oily fish high in?
O3
What are the negatives of eating fish?
Mercury
Overfishing
Why shouldn’t you eat farmed fish?
Contains dyes + toxic chemicals Lower O3 content Lower vit D Are vaccinated Have more diseases Harmful for ecosystems
What are the nutrient benefits of eating crustaceans and shellfish?
Complete protein O3 Zinc Iron Magnesium
What are the negatives of eating shellfish?
High in cholesterol
Food poisoning
Accumulate toxins
Intensively farmed
Organic farming of plant based foods yields a higher amount of what compared with non-organic farming?
Phytonutrients
Which plant-based foods have higher amounts of essential amino acids?
Beans Legumes Quinoa Nuts Seeds
What are the benefits of eating plant-based foods?
Rich and varied source of macro and micro nutrients, phytonutrients and AO
Supports healthy gut microbiome
Can have a positive impact on cognitive functions
Reduced risk of heart disease, cancer, obesity
Ethical and environmentally friendly (if organic)
What does the bacterial digestion of plant fibre produce?
Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs)
What do SCFAs do?
Support the intestinal barrier
What are the nutrient benefits of root veg?
A B C Iron Fibre Lutein Beta-carotene
What does beetroot contain that makes it different to other root veg?
Nitric oxide
What are the benefits of beetroot/nitric oxide?
Vasodilator Improves blood flow Great for exercise performance Blood pressure reduction Cognition Dementia prevention
What are the nutrient benefits of eating cruciferous veg?
B C E K Calcium Indole 3 carbinols Fibre Glucosinolates
What are glucosinolates?
Sulphur-containing compounds found in cruciferous veg
What are the health benefits of glucosinolates?
Cancer prevention
Anti-inflammatory
Support liver detoxification
Anti-viral/bacterial
Why are cruciferous veg ideal for respiratory congestion?
Ready to eat during autumn and winter
Why are cruciferous veg good for cancer prevention?
DNA protective
Hormone deactivation
Induce apoptosis
Inhibit angiogenesis
What does root veg contain that is good for digestive health and blood sugar regulation?
Fibre
Why are root veg good for the immune system?
Contain vit A
Why are broccoli sprouts good for liver detoxification?
Contain indole-3-carbinol (I3C)
What is indole-3-carbinol (I3C)?
Helps support healthy oestrogen metabolism
In which foods can indole-3-carbinol (I3C) be found?
Cruciferous veg
What makes red cabbage different to white cabbage?
Contains anthocyanins - gives red colour
What are anthocyanins?
AO that gives some veg and fruit their red colour
Why is cabbage juice good for peptic ulceration?
Contains L-glutamine
Helps maintain gut barrier
When are glucosinolates activated?
When plant is cut, chopped or chewed
Why are people with hypothyroidism advised to reduce consumption of cruciferous veg?
The glucosinolates are goitrogens that may interfere with the production of thyroid hormones
Disrupts use of iodine
How can goitrogens be reduced in cruciferous veg?
Cooking
What are the nutrient benefits of dark leafy greens?
A B C K Folate Iron Calcium Magnesium
What substance makes leafy greens dark?
Chlorophyll
What are the benefits of chlorophyll?
Alkalising
Blood building
Cancer preventing
Gut healing/cleansing