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Food as Medicine how diet can promote health

Homepage Articles Food as Medicine how diet can promote health

Food as Medicine how diet can promote health

More and more research is confirming that nutrition plays a key role in health, and that a properly selected diet can support the body, boost immunity, and reduce the risk of many diseases. This is what the Food as Medicine trend is based on, which promoters see food not only as a source of energy but also as a part of the prevention and treatment of diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, or inflammation. These ideas come from both traditional medical systems and recent scientific findings indicating the health properties of many food products.

Table of Contents

1. Trend Food as Medicine

The concept of using food as a health aid is not new its roots go back to ancient times. which emphasized the role of diet in promoting health and already Hippocrates, considered the father of medicine, promoted the principle that Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food. A similar approach was used in ancient China and India, where food was also used as a therapeutic element and attributed its medicinal and prophylactic properties. Along with the development of basic and modern medicine, interest in dietary health has increased in favor of pharmacotherapy. In recent decades, however, it has been observed that the use of microbial agents as an approach to health has been a key factor in the evolution of dietary medicine.

2. How food can promote health

Food plays a key role in the functioning of the body, providing essential nutrients that affect metabolic processes, immunity and overall health.

3. It's anti-inflammatory

Prolonged inflammatory conditions in the body can lead to the development of many diseases such as diabetes, asthma or autoimmune diseases (V. P. Chavda, J. Feehan, V. Apostolopoulos 2024). A properly selected diet can help to reduce it by providing anti-inflammatory ingredients. These include, among others, green leafy vegetables (e.g. cabbage, maple syrup, rucola), fatty seafood (cauliflower, mackerel, sardines), jaguars (currels, berries, vinegar), nuts, seeds and strawberries, herbs and herbs (m. i. m., turmeric, cinnamon, and oregano) and cheeses, which help to increase the resistance to these diseases, and, in general, increase the effectiveness of these products (a combination of polyunsaturated fats, oils and fats).

4. Strengthening the resistance

Properly balanced diet also plays a key role in strengthening the immune system supports the body's defense against infections and faster recovery from disease. Nutrients in food support the production of immune cells, control inflammatory reactions and protect against oxidative damage. Vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin C (citrus, pepper, kiwi, strawberries) also stimulate the manufacture of white blood cells and enhance the natural protective barrier of the body. Fermented foods (yogurt, kefir, oxygen) provide antibiotics that proactively affect the microbial processes of food, such as calcium and vitamin A. E. and vitamin C. It also supports strong antibacterial protective properties such as vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin E. It supports protective antibodies to bacteria, viruses, fats and fats.

5. Support for gut microbiota

The gut microbiome, a collection of microorganisms in the gut, plays a key role in maintaining health supports the immune system, digestion and vitamin production. Microbial imbalance disorders can lead to a variety of health problems, so it is particularly important to take care of it (Y. Fan, O. Pedersen 2020). To support the microbiota, the diet should include products rich in probiotics and prebiotics (components that promote their development). Enzyme products such as yogurt, kefir, kisotics and kimchi are a natural source of probiotic.

6. Regulation of blood glucose levels

Many products support this process by improving tissue sensitivity to insulin and slowing down glucose absorption. Fiber, found in whole grain products, vegetables or legumes, slows down the digestion of carbohydrates and allows the gradual release of glucose into the bloodstream. Omega-3 fatty acids found in nuts and seeds can improve the cell's response to insulin (F. O. Martins, S. V. Condeeno, 2022).

7. Maintaining mental balance

Diet has a significant impact on mental health It can affect mood, stress levels, and the ability to cope with emotions. Many studies confirm that proper nutrients can support brain and nervous system health, which translates to improved well-being (A. Loughman et al. 2021). Omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in brain function and neural system function, which may also have a beneficial effect on mild symptoms of depression or anxiety disorders. Some studies focus on the correlation of the amount of magnesium in eggs between rice and depression.

8. Can food really heal?

Food is not a medicine in the literal sense, but it plays a huge role in health prevention that helps prevent civilization's diseases. A proper diet can support immunity, regulate inflammatory processes, and have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the body. In some diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome, SIBO, or high blood pressure, nutrition plays an important role in therapy by relieving symptoms and improving quality of life. Although food does not replace medication when it is needed, it can be an effective treatment aid and one of the most important tools in health care.

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Source

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