Nutrition and Disease
Sat. Dec. 5, 2009
Our bodies haven't changed for over 40,000 years. But our diets have. Dietary excesses are making us sick and shortening our lives. We have the knowledge to dramatically lessen the risk of disease through diet. According to 2006 data from the Centre for Disease Control, heart disease and cancer account for 51% of all deaths in America.
Most types of cancer are related to environmental factors. These environmental factors (one example is diet) are under your control.
High dietary levels of alcohol, fat, along with low vegetable and fruit intake interact with genetic components to increase the risk of cancer. Dietary intake interact with genetic components to increase the risk of cancer. High levels of body fat, smoking and toxins in the environment also contribute to estimates of the contribution of environmental and genetic factors to development of some types of cancer.
Let’s take a look at 5 common cancers:
Ovarian: 78% of all ovarian cancers are due to environmental factors, and only 22% are due to genetics.
Breast: Between 73 and 95% of all breast cancers are due to environmental factors, and 5-27% are due to genetics.
Lung: 74% of all lung cancers are due to environmental factors, and 26% are due to genetics.
Colon: 65% of all colon cancers are due to environmental factors, and 35% are due to genetics.
Prostate: 58% of all prostate cancers are due to environmental factors, and 42% are due to genetics.
Now, let’s take a look at a few diseases and disorders that are linked to diet:
Heart disease and its dietary connections are high saturated and trans-fats and cholesterol intakes; low vegetable and fruit intakes; excessive body fat.
Stroke and its dietary connections are low vegetable and fruit intake; excessive alcohol intake, high-fat diets
Diabetes (primarily in adults) and its dietary connections are excessive body fat; low vegetable and fruit intake; high saturated fat, sugary foods, and refined grain products
Cirrhosis of the liver and its dietary connections are excessive alcohol consumption; poor overall diet
Hypertension (high blood pressure) and its dietary connections are excessive sodium (salt), sugary foods, refined grain products, and alcohol intake; low vegetable and fruit intake; excessive levels of body fat
Osteoporosis and its dietary connections are inadequate calcium and vitamin D, low intakes of vegetables and fruits
Chronic inflammation and its dietary connections are excessive calorie intake, high fat diets; low intake of vegetables and fruit, poor vitamin D status
Sources: Am J Clin Nutr 2005; 81 388-96; Schulze MB et al. Dietary pattern, inflammation, and incidence of type 2 diabetes in women. Am J Clin Nutr 2005;82:675-84; Prynne CJ et al. Fruit and vegetable intakes and bone mineral status: a cross-sectional study in 5 age and sex cohorts. Am J Clin Nutr 2006;83:1420-8; Pavia M et al. Association between fruit and vegetable consumption and oral cancer: a meta-analysis of observational studies. Am J Clin Nutr 2006;83:1126-34; Kornman KS. Interleukin 1 genetics, inflammatory mechanisms, and nutrigenetic opportunities to modulate diseases of aging Am C Clin Nutr 2006;83 (suppl): 4755-83S
Chronic inflammation is a strong risk factor for heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s Disease, and other chronic health problems. Diets rich in colorful fruits and vegetables moderate fat intake, adequate Vitamin D status, normal body weight help prevent chronic inflammation and the disorders linked to chronic inflammation.
Diseases and Disorders
Some diseases are promoted by interaction between nutrients and genes. For example, cancer-related genes can be de-activated by certain components in food. SULFORAPHANE, found in cabbage, broccoli, and brussel sprouts helps prevent colon cancer. It inactivates a gene that produces a substance that encourages cancer development.
As you can see, simple modifications to diet will lessen our risk of disease.
These modifications to diet should be started gradually, to ensure the changes will be permanent. If you undertake large changes to diet (at the start), chances are you will not stick with them.
Healthy Eating,
Jeff Hill
Certified Nutritionist
www.aromatherapyinstitute.com
info@aromatherapyinstitute.com
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