.
The Atkins Diet or Atkins Nutritional Approach ( ANA ) is a popular low
carbohydratediet and lifelong eating plan postulated by cardiologist Robert C
Atkins in 1972. This diet restrict carbohydrateswhile emphasizing protein and
fats intake through natural sources. This approach to carbohydrates burns off
body's fats.
The ANA has several phases for weight loss and maintenance,
starting out with a low carbohydrates eating plan in alliance with physical
activity schedule.
These include sugars,jaggery, refined sugars.fruits ( raisins, dates, dry apricots, currants, mango, zizyphus, pomegranate, lichi, lime, sapotaand seethaphal), cereal grains, pulses, nuts legumes, potato, sweet potato,tapiocaand oilseeds. Salad greens and cucumber along with other leafy vegetables to be added to the diet.
Next withe ongoing weight loss slowly add back carbohydrates and latercontinue increasing foods you like including fruits and vegetables.
Lifetime maintenance is to get the goal weight and continue.
Diets and
Drugs
Patients
- May not require medicines and can recover without the use of drugs. In some cases prescribing a drug to the patient may be more a fancy rather than a necessity.
- Require medicines, but the amount of dose and the duration of taking it can be modified by proper dietary changes. However it should be remembered that "all things are poisons and there is nothing that is harmless; the dose alone decides that something is of no poison." (Paracelsus. 1493-1541)
Overall in this Epidemiological
triad of the Conjurer (the physician), the Confederate (the pharmaceutical
industry), and the Host (the victim) invariably is a universally susceptible
human subject, regardless of the identity of the other two.
Vegetarian Diets
Many people believe that these diets are enough and will
benefit and support human health, life and survival, among them Albert Einstein,
Mahatma Gandhi and the followers of Buddha and Jainism. However: - Nitrogen cycle on
planet Earth and other faiths may negate these.
- Recent researches in scientific medicine also may not contribute to this concept. Indeed fancy or fad cannot avail against truth. In the last 5-10 years, researchers have established the effectiveness of omega-3 fats, especially of animal origin, in maintaining health and in fighting against chronic/metabolic disorders and cancers. Fish oil contains long chain omega-3 fats in abundance and its use is far superior to vegetable oils. Certain dietary oils,( containing omega-3 and -6 fats - the essential fatty acids (EFA), more or less in a balanced ratio, e.g. spirulina, flaxseed oil or seeds and mustard oil, are good options, in contradiction to other vegetable oils, devoid of omega-3 fats or with a high omega-6 fat/omega-3 fat ratio.
The DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) is a diet low in calories, rich in fruits, vegetables and low fat dairy products with salt restriction.
The Mediterranean Diet ( for prevention of major chronic illnesses ) depends mainly on : fruits, vegetables, whole grains, ( healthy fats ), OLIVE OIL, beans, nuts, legumes, herbs and spices along with FISH and sea-foods and less of MEAT, POULTRY, SWEETS and DAIRY FATS.
DIET (in Greek meaning a way of life) refers
to sum total of foods and drinks and their forms as consumed by an individual or
groups. NUTRITION refers to the function of the food, their processing in the
body both in health and disease, and also their requirements (i.e. of nutrients
or non-nutrient components). Apart from water ( And We made every livig thing of
water-21/30) and fiber the diet ( for bulk in the intestinal lumen) must provide
food/nutrients for metabolic and physiologic functions.
The NUTRIENTS (chemical substances in the food)
which yield energy (metabolic fuels) are carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
Vitamins and minerals which facilitate biochemical reactions do not yield energy
in the body.
DIETETICS
refers to the science of diet and nutrition or more specifically "the branch of
therapeutics ( an account of the treatment of disease ) treating of food and
drink in relation to health and disease.
The Diet and Nutrition Surveys include assessment of clinical nutrition status,
a
survey of dietary intake of individuals and their Dietary habits. Assessment of
body fat, BMI and certain laboratory investigations i.e. to detect infections,
infestations and nutrient/s deficiency or excess, is also a part of this
process.
The DIETARY
HABITS (accustomed ways of food consumption), apart
from agricultural farming and culinary practices, are formed specially in
childhood. Efforts should be made to educate mothers and children (specially the
girl-child), at various institutional levels. School kids are the most favorite
AGENTS of CHANGE.
Self learning and Continuing
Education are some other means or tools to put into practice.
The Goal of (nutrition) education (to inculcate proper dietary
habits), is to translate relevant meaningful Knowledge (K) into a positive
Attitude (A) and put it into effective training/Practice (P) i.e.
KAP. In the task of educational
activities in both domains of teaching and learning, scientists political
leaders, press, teachers and students young and old alike, play their own roles
i.e. we are all agents of change and/or beneficiaries of education.
Educational activities in various institutions and communities should be
supported by SWOT analysis
which takes into account : Strength and
Weakness within and Opportunities and Threats from without.
Further an educator as a
service provider may take into account 4 P's of
McCarthy, namely Product (service/concept), Price (voluntary or
otherwise),Place ( selling the ideas at the right
place and at the right time) & Promotion (communication channels leading to
individuals/groups).
