Malnutrition doesn’t just happen to those in deprived circumstances.
The term “malnutrition” tends to conjure up images of people who live in less economically developed countries and suffer from food shortages. We rarely consider the possibility that those living in affluent countries could also be malnourished, but due to our modern dietary patterns, it is important to be alert to the signs and symptoms of nutritional deprivation.
AdvertisingBut, how can a rich person become malnourished?
Just because a person ingests a sufficient number of calories on a regular basis does not mean that they are meeting all of their nutritional requirements. It is possible to maintain a normal or even high body mass yet fail to eat the kinds of food the body needs, which can result in malnutrition.
The Consequences of Malnutrition
A malnourished individual will not be able to live up to their full physical and mental potential. This is particularly important in the case of young children, who will not make the appropriate mental, physical and educational gains that they need to succeed in life if they do not receive a balanced diet. According to the US Food and Drug Administration, 85% of Americans do not consume adequate quantities of common vitamins and other nutrients needed to support all-round health. Malnourished individuals are more likely to suffer physical and mental illness. This has a knock-on effect for the economy, with work-based productivity impacted as a result.
AdvertisingWhich nutrients do American people miss out on?
Fiber, vitamins, minerals, and Omega-3 are among the most important nutrients missing from the typical American diet. Weakness, tiredness, and a susceptibility to increased infections are among the key signs to watch for. If you experience these symptoms on a regular basis, it is time to review your diet and take a trip to your physician for a checkup.
Fiber
A deficiency in fiber can lead to constipation and digestive sluggishness, which in turn can increase risk of hemorrhoids and colon cancer. Improve your fiber intake by eating at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day. Try some delicious smoothie recipes to make increasing your fruit intake simple.
AdvertisingVitamins
Vitamins D, E, and A are required for healthy brain, skeletal, and immune functioning and are commonly underrepresented in the typical American diet. Along with regular exposure to sunlight, eating fortified cereal and dairy products a couple of times per day is the best way to ensure that you get enough Vitamin D. Vitamin E is important in supporting the immune system, skin, and eyes. Almonds, avocado, and spinach are great sources of this nutrient. Finally, Vitamin A is necessary for healthy vision. It is found in many vegetables including carrots and butternut squash. Learn how to cook some tasty vegetable-based dishes to boost your intake.
Minerals
Minerals such as magnesium, calcium, and potassium are key in the maintenance of a healthy nervous system. Nuts, seeds, dairy, and lean meats are great sources of magnesium and calcium whereas potassium is found in bananas, avocado, spinach, and coconut water.
AdvertisingOmega-3
Omega-3 fatty acids are important in managing blood pressure and safeguarding heart health. Key sources include cod liver oil, soybean oil, and flaxseed oil. Sardines and salmon are other great sources. Check out some salmon-based recipes here.
How can you track your nutrition?
Fortunately, there are easy ways to check your nutritional intake. For example, using an app such as Myfitness Pal can help you gain an overview of your daily consumption of key nutrients and help you make changes as required. It may seem daunting at first, but making a few adjustments to your daily diet and trying a few new recipes can help you become much healthier.
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Last Updated on January 11, 2021
11 Hidden Benefits of Using Oil Diffusers
Affordable, relaxing, and healthy, oil diffusers are gaining popularity with people everywhere due to their extensive benefits. Oil diffusers work through the simple process of oil diffusion, which uses heat to turn oil into a vapor that is then spread around a living space. Diffused oil can have several relaxation and health-related benefits, including safe scent-dispersion, mosquito and mold defense, stress relief, and more!
Read on for 11 hidden benefits of using oil diffusers.
1. Safe Scents That Make Sense
Unlike candles or air fresheners, oil diffusers release cleansing molecules into your air that work to purify it, not overload it with unhealthy chemicals. Electronic diffusers also do not pose the fire risk that candles do. Plus, they contain the added feature of interchangeability, which means you change oil types for different scents and health benefits.
2. Stress Relief
Several lab studies have confirmed that diffusing essential oils like lavender have been shown to reduce stress and help relieve anxiety in medical patients. Preliminary studies have also shown that oil diffusers can help alleviate symptoms of depression.
3. Improved Sleep
Diffused oil has relaxing properties that can help people of all ages fall asleep quicker and sleep more soundly. Electronic diffusers not only have the option to mix and match different oil blends (Try a lavender, Bulgarian rose, and Roman chamomile blend to help with insomnia), they also run at a gentle hum that helps relax an agitated mind. Many also come with an auto shut-off feature to help conserve oils once you have fallen asleep.
4. Appetite Control
Much like gum, oil diffusers can help stimulate the senses in a way that works to curb appetite. New research has shown that diffused peppermint oil can help curb appetite by inducing a satiety response within the body. Diffused peppermint oil has also been shown to increase energy.
5. Bacteria and Mold Killing
When essential oils are diffused in the air, they break down free radicals that contribute to the growth of harmful bacteria. Eucalyptus, thyme, and tea tree oils are especially good for this purpose. Diffused oil is also highly effective when it comes to combating fungal yeast threats, as the oil help makes the air inhospitable for yeasts such as mold. Pine and red thyme essential oils are best for combating mold.
6. Decongestion and Mucus Control
Ever tried Vick’s Vapo-Rub? Its decongesting powers come from active ingredients made from the eucalyptus tree. In principle, oil diffusers work the same way as Vapo-Rub, except they diffuse their decongesting vapor all around the room, not just on your chest or neck. Oil diffusers have been known to cure pneumonia in lab mice.
7. Mosquito Repellant
Nobody likes mosquitoes — but when the trade-off means using repellants full of DEET, a toxic chemical that can be especially harmful to children, mosquito control can often seem like a lose-lose. However, scientists have shown that oil diffusers can be used as a safe and highly effective mosquito repellant. Studies have shown that a diffused oil mixture containing clove essential oil and lemongrass essential oil repelled one type of Zika-carrying mosquito, the Aedes aegypti mosquito, at a rate of 100%.
8. Pain Relief
While applying oils directly to areas of your body may be the most effective way to alleviate pain, diffusing essential oils can also be an effective means of pain relief. When we inhale healthy essential oils, they enter our blood stream and can help internally relieve persistent pain from headaches, overworked muscles, and sore joints.
9. The New Anti-Viral
Research into the anti-viral effects of oil diffusion is now just gaining steam. A recent study showed that star anise essential oil was proven in medical experiments to destroy the herpes simplex virus in contained areas at a rate of 99%. Another study showed the popular DoTerra oil blend OnGuard to have highly-effective influenza-combating powers.
10. Improved Cognitive Function
Diffusing essential oils has also been shown to improve cognitive function. Many essential oils have adaptogenic qualities, which can work twofold in soothing us when we’re stressed, and giving our bodies a pick-me-up when we’re feeling down or sluggish. By working to level out an imbalanced mood, diffused oils also help us to focus. There are also several essential oils which have been shown to help balance the body’s hormones. With prolonged use, these oils can work to repair the underlying causes responsible for hindering cognitive function.
11. Money Saving
With ten clear benefits of oil diffusers already outlined, there is one more that should now be obvious: using an oil diffuser will help you to save money. As an anti-viral, bug repelling, and stress-relief solution rolled into one safe product, an oil diffuser used with the proper oils will save you money on products you might otherwise be buying to help cure those pesky headaches or get your kids to fall asleep on time. If you’re wondering just how affordable oil diffusers can be, check the buyer’s guide to the best oil diffusers — you’ll be sure to find one that fits your budget!
Featured photo credit: Jopeel Quimpo via unsplash.com