Holistic Nutrition – Nutrition Meets Food Science

Proper nutrition is necessary for satisfying all the nutrient requirements of the body to carry out various functions. These may be metabolism of food, various activities carried out by the body including physical activities like walking, playing games and sports, getting entertained by listening to music or watching TV or movie, cooking, eating, resting and a large number of other physical activities. Also, in the case of children it helps growth and in case of pregnant and lactating mothers allow the growth and nourishment of progeny. Nutrients provide proper environment within the body so it can carry out various activities. Lack of nutrients will cause inadequate conditions leading to some physical and mental problems.

Holistic nutrition goes beyond nutrition as the latter tries to keep the body physically healthy. However, health includes mental and emotional component besides the physical health. Hence there are additional requirements that include not just nutrients but also nutraceuticals and the proper physical activity, mental activity such as meditation and proper sleep among other things.

Nutraceuticals are substances found in some foods and in herbs, spices and many botanical ingredients used in some ayurvedic ingredients that have been shown to have effect on reducing the risk of diseases rather than curing the diseases which is done by medicine. Now many supplements are available as well as food products in which some of these are added. Examples may be omega-3, dietary fibre, some vitamins that have nutraceutical effects are higher than RDA dosages, carotenoids, flavonoids, phytosterols and many others.

People do not remain healthy with food alone and not even with nutraceuticals. They need physical activity to keep all the muscles, tissues, limbs and organs in healthy condition. It is not necessary to have muscular athletic physique but within certain BMI and that can be maintained with regular exercise. This may not just be calisthenics and/or gym activities but can include simple walk or jog or swimming or sports & physical games.

People used to spend plenty of time enjoying some of the above physical activities but now because of paucity of time and space the scope especially in urban areas they find it difficult to do this. However, even walking and some physical activity at home may also be enough. There are now many other activities such as watching TV or playing with phones or games on computers are taking more of their time especially of younger ones.

Even some activity of walking to bus stop or train stations has been reduced by cars and taxis. Even in offices elevators, online work and other electronics have reduced the physical activities and efforts so the body hardly gets any activity. This is creating physical unhealth that cannot be compensated by healthy diet.

In addition to above, there is also need for mental health. Although there are some nutraceuticals that help in keeping restful when there is anxiety and stress. Physical activity also to some extent is helpful in relieving stress. Meditation and yoga as well as music can help in relieving some problems. Sleep is extremely important in this and each individual needs adequate sleep to not only recoup physical but also the mental health.

There is also another aspect and that is emotional health. Humans are social animals and they need people around them. Family, friends and associates etc. can become important contributors. Various functions like religious or festivals and social get-togethers are very important. Any event where they meet others can help in this respect as long as they are pleasant and people derive happiness and satisfaction from them.

Combination of various above activities will contribute to the holistic health and each one is important not necessarily to the same extent. Now there are groups formed that advise on holistic nutrition and this may turn out to be an important branch of nutritional sciences.

References

1. The National Association of Nutrition Professionals (https://nanp.org/what-is-holistic-nutrition/)
2. Katy Weniger, June 8, 2024, What is Holistic Nutrition? Approaches & Practice (https://www.integrativenutrition.com/blog/what-is-holistic-nutrition)
3. Nina Zorfass, June 17, 2024, Learn from Trailblazers in Meditation and Yoga (https://www.integrativenutrition.com/blog/learn-from-trailblazers-in-meditation-and-yoga-a-brief-introduction-to-chopra-lead-educators)