Dr. Russell Blaylock¹, board-certified neurosurgeon and author tells this humorous tidbit about his own life: “I used to do so well, until I hit 50, then when I hit 50 things start breaking down. I’ve got aches and pains. I used to jump and run and now I can hardly get out of bed in the morning. I can’t remember where I left my car keys half the time.
“Everything seems to be breaking down just because I reached 50! What happened when I reached 50? Well, folks it’s not what happened at 50 – it’s those first 50 years!”
What is Nutrition?
The taking in and use of food and other nourishing material by the body. It is a 3-part process.
1. Food or drink is consumed
2. The body breaks down the food into nutrients
3. The nutrients travel through the blood stream to different parts of the body where they are used as “fuel” and other purposes. To give the body proper nutrition, a person has to eat and drink enough of the foods that contain key nutrients.
What are Key nutrients?³
Proteins are involved in growth, repair and general maintenance of the body.
Carbohydrates are usually the main energy source for the body.
Lipids or fats are a rich source of energy, key components of cell membranes and signaling molecules, and as myelin they insulate neurons (nerve cells).
Vitamins are important in a range of biochemical reactions.
Minerals are important in maintaining ionic balances and many biochemical reactions.
Water is crucial to life. Metabolic reactions occur in an aqueous environment and water acts as a solvent for other molecules to dissolve in.
This does not represent a complete list of key ingredients, but is a fair representation.
A deficiency of any one type of nutrient can lead to disease, starvation (or dehydration in the case of water) and subsequent death. Fiber is a component of food that is not nutritious but is important to include in our diet. Fiber or roughage is non-digestible carbohydrate and it has an important role in aiding the movement of food through the gut.
There is also an absolute requirement for some specific molecules in the diet. This is because, although the body can manufacture most of the molecules it needs, some essential molecules cannot be made by the body. These molecules are called essential (Key) nutrients or amino acids and must be supplied in the diet.
Following retirement, we looked forward to traveling, doing things we’d put off during the working years but soon discovered they were not as enjoyable as anticipated. One ailment after another began to plague both of us and the joy just wasn’t there. Life became a series of visits to the doctor, more and more prescriptions – you know the drill. Ironically, I was encouraged to watch my weight but can’t remember one significant inquiry about what I was actually eating.
Several years earlier I had consulted with a nutritionist as I saw my waistline expanding and the scales inch upward. Same drill: weigh in; get a stack of fat free recipes which quickly found their way into file 13. This was a disappointing experience; though I was convinced there was a better, more natural way to become healthy. The reality that we were not enjoying much health or wellness in the golden year hit pretty hard and we knew we had to make dome serious changes in our eating. Following our CHIP² (Coronary Health Improvement Project) classes, we made those changes. I then studied and earned a certification as a Health Coordinator. Let me be clear, I do not advocate nor practice dieting – rather eating more of the right foods.
You will find many of the concepts are based in scripture. In future articles we will discuss:
