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Nutrition: Foods
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Nutrition is one matter that takes a backseat with lifestyle enthusiasts around the world. They are obsessed with exercising, dieting and maintaining a positive outlook on life, but very few actually realize the importance of eating the right kind of food. And the right kind of food definitely means eating nutritiously.
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Nutrition is the provision, to cells and organisms, of the materials necessary (in the form of food) to support life. Many common health problems can be prevented or alleviated with good nutrition.
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Nutrition professionals trying to influence dietary change must take into account a person’s personal food preferences as well as their level of awareness and interest in making healthier choices. In addition, environmental factors within families, organizations, and communities must be considered.
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A special problem that may affect childhood nutrition is the presence of food allergies, which are more common in children than in adults. They are most likely to begin when a child is very young and the immune system is still sensitive, usually in infancy. Food allergies ... tend to run in families: if one parent has food allergies, a child has a 40 percent likelihood of developing one. This figure rises to 75 percent if both parents have food allergies. Common symptoms of food allergies include hives and rashes; swelling of the eyes, lips, and mouth; respiratory symptoms; and digestive problems. Foods that most often produce allergic reactions in infants are cow's milk, soy products, and citrus fruits.
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HONG KONG, Oct. 20 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Good nutrition is essential to building and maintaining strong bones, according to a new report issued today by International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) on the occasion of World Osteoporosis Day (WOD), October 20. The new report "Bone Appetit: the role of food and nutrition in building and maintaining strong bones" (please view: http://www.osteofound.org/publications/bone_appetit.html ) shares its title with the theme of WOD 2006, celebrated today with international activities (please view: http://www.osteofound.org/activities/world_osteoporosis_day/2006_activities.php ) by IOF's member societies in 86 countries. IOF Chief Executive Officer Daniel Navid, speaking at a press conference in Hong Kong, noted: "Everyone can help to reduce their risk of developing osteoporosis by following a bone-healthy lifestyle, which includes eating a nutritious diet, taking regular exercise and avoiding smoking and excess alcohol. "By rejecting the misconception that `skinny is beautiful' and not following harmful and excessive weight loss diets, people can build strong bones and help to reduce the risk of breaking bones due to osteoporosis later in life." Professor Annie Kung, president of the Osteoporosis Society of Hong Kong, speaking at the conference, predicted an osteoporosis epidemic in Asia, noting: "It is projected that by 2050 about 50% of all osteoporotic hip fractures will occur in Asia. Partly this is due to increasing life expectancy, but is ... related to lifestyle factors, including less-healthy eating habits." "The importance of a nutritious diet with sufficient calcium and vitamin D to build and maintain bone strength has been shown in numerous clinical studies," said Dr Edith Lau, president of the Hong Kong Osteoporosis Foundation and an IOF Board member. "Like any organ in the body, the skeleton needs a constant supply of nutrients to function properly and replenish itself throughout our lives." Also released by IOF today were twelve 30-second Public Service Announcements (please view: http://www.osteofound.org/press_centre/psa_wod2006/index.html ) in which internationally-known entertainers, athletes, chefs and osteoporosis advocates urge people to adopt bone-friendly eating habits.
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In conventional nutrition, animal products are seen as a key source of protein, iron, zinc and vitamin B12, while dairy products are seen as a key source of calcium. However, zinc and iron are found in useful amounts in many whole grains, nuts, seeds and legumes and vegans are no more likely to become anaemic than anyone else. Protein is found in adequate amounts in most plant foods: it is fairly low in fruit, potatoes and rice, but particularly high in legumes. With regard to calcium,100 grams of spring greens, kale, mustard greens or Chinese cabbage provide about the same amount of retained calcium as a cup of cow's milk. If you eat a lot of these vegetables, you can be confident about your bone health. If you totally avoid such vegetables, two cups of fortified soya milk (about 300 milligrams calcium per cup) would be adequate.
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