Contemporary Nutrition Issues Flashcards
define diabetes
diabetes is a disease of the pancreas gland, where the body is unable to use sugar normally
how can diabetes be controlled
control intake of carbs, fats and sugar
define cardiovascular disease
also called coronary heart disease, it occurs due to the coronary arteries becoming blocked, stopping blood from being supplied to the heart
how can CVD be controlled
reduce fat, saturated fats, salt
define food allergies
food allergies occur when the body’s immune system responds to a specific food protein (allergen) and incorrectly identifies the allergen as foreign
where are the most common allergens found
eggs, cow’s milk, wheat (gluten), fish and nuts, soy
define coeliac disease
the condition where the presence of gluten damages the small intestines
define food intolerance
digestive problems that occur after a certain food has been eaten
how is a food intolerance different from an allergy
- The response does not involve the immune system
- The body is not responding to the protein but to other chemicals found in the food.
- a food intolerance is not life threatening
define lactose intolerance
lactose intolerance occurs when an individual has difficulty in digesting lactose (dairy). It is not a milk allergy where the person has a problem with the milk protein.
define active non-nutrients
Substances that are not essential to life but contribute to good health and enhance body functioning
define functional foods
a food claimed to have an additional function by adding new ingredients or more of existing ingredients
define malnutrition
malnutrition occurs when one or more nutrients are not supplied to the body in the correct amounts. This can cause over nutrition or under nutrition.
what are some diet related disorders associated with overnutrition
obesity, hypertension and dental caries
what are some diet related disorders associated with undernutrition
nutrition deficiencies (inadequate fibre, iron, calcium), eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia)
define functional foods
foods that have been nutritionally modified to meet consumer demand (nutritionally beneficial); improve consumers health by replacing the bad with the good
define fortified foods
fortified foods contain nutrients not originally in the product (e.g orange juice with added calcium)
define enriched foods
contain nutrients added to replace those lost during processing
define nutritionally modified foods
altered foods to improve nutritional characteristics (add/remove components)
what are the role of vitamin supplements
to supply extra vitamins to a deficient body, used for pregnancy
why are mineral supplements useful
allergies, intolerances (diary sees lack in calcium), deficiencies in iron, calcium
why are protein supplements useful
growth and repair cells, formation of enzymes and hormones
what is the value of supplements
to safeguard against inadequate diets or illness, enhance performance and reduce stress
state and federal governments role in promoting health
providing nutrition and health education (dietary guidelines)
local governments role in promoting health
community programs (meals on wheels)
what is the food industry’s role in promoting health
organic farming, production of foods (pro-biotic foods, wholemeal, low fat, low salt)
define anti-oxidants
found in plant foods (vitamin A, C, E), control blood cholesterol levels and reduce chance of cancer.
examples of anti-oxidants
phytochemicals, flavonoids, caretnoids
define dietary fibre
found in plant foods, absorb moisture in gut allowing faeces to pass easily, acting as fuel for beneficial bacteria
define omega 3 fatty acids
found in fish and plants, strengthen heart and bloodstream, brain development
define probiotics
beneficial gut flora (bacteria), improves digestion and maintains immune system
define obesity
leading preventable cause of death worldwide, 65% of adults obese, caused by excess fat intake and lack of physical activity, leads to reduced life expectancy and health problems (heart disease)
difference between type 1 & 2 diabetes
type 1 diabetes is a genetic disorder that often shows up early in life, and type 2 is largely diet-related and develops over time. If you have type 1 diabetes, your immune system is attacking and destroying the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas.
explain cholesterol
Cholesterol is an insoluble lipid transported through the body by high density lipoproteins (HDL) which take cholesterol out of the body, low density lipoproteins (LDL) deposit cholesterol on artery walls, preventing bloodflow
