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Food is the basic necessity of life. A living
organism must perform certain functions like
respiration, excretion, growth, metabolism
and reproduction and for the performance of these
functions energy is required which is mainly obtained
from food and nutrition. That is why all life forms,
from unicellular to most advanced like human beings have
one method or the other for acquisition (ingestion) and
utilization (digestion) of food. From simple osmosis
(dragging fluid) through cell membranes to
engulfment through pseudopods, Flagella and /or vacuoles
to the more sophisticated methods like cooking and
eating with mouth, are used for this purpose. During the
course of evolution the purpose of food ingestion,
changed from eating to sustain life, to eating for
pleasure and enjoyment, as happened with other processes
in life, like sex and reproduction. Human beings like to
eat the foods that are tasty, flavoured, have a pleasant
texture, and colorful and decent shape. As with
reproduction, human beings try to virtually satisfy all
the senses as much as possible. The basic trigger for
food ingestion is what is called as hunger, the urge to
eat food. In human beings this is generally surpassed
and overcome by another feeling called as appetite, the
urge to satisfy the senses. In addition to hunger and
appetite there are numerous other factors that
affect the frequency and amount of ingested food,
partially or completely regardless of bodies actual
need for nutrients. Nutrients are elements,
compounds and mixtures needed and used by body to
sustain, grow and perpetuate life. They are mainly
classified into five categories, proteins,
carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals.
Proteins are the building blocks of body. They are
not just needed by growing bodies but they are also
required to replace dead cells and tissue as a routine
wear and tear process. Billions of cells die and are
needed to be replaced everyday. Aging is when body's
ability to appropriately replace some or allof these
dead cells and tissues is reduced or no longer present.
Carbohydrates and fats are energy source of the body.
Energy is not only needed for routine activities like
movement, eating, respiration, excretion and
reproduction but also for innumerable chemical and
electrical reactions happening in body all the time. New
compounds, building blocks and mixtures form and break
down in our bodies all the time as per the needs of a
body, and keep us alive. Most scientists believe that
the basic source of energy are carbohydrates, since they
are and can be used virtually by all the tissues and
cells of the body as an energy source.
Fats are believed to become the energy source because
of the scarcity of food in almost every part of the
world in past. Since fats contain larger number of
calories in any given amount, when compared to
carbohydrates and can be easily stored in various parts
of the body for longer periods of time and can be used
in case of unavailability of food as an energy
source and some of it can even be converted into certain
proteins in case of need, they became the favorite form
of food storage in body for most species. Except for
brain, in every other part of the body they need to be
converted into carbohydrates before they can be used as
energy source because only brain tissue and cells can
use fats directly as a source of energy. During the
process of conversion from fats into carbohydrates they
release by products called as ketones which are highly
acidic in nature and can cause keto acidosis, which can
be fatal if severe during natural or diabetic
starvation when in spite of availability and very high
level of carbohydrates in blood, body is not able to
metabolize carbohydrates (sugars) into energy, and
effectively use it. Carbohydrates and fats are also the
components (parts) of a smaller number of metabolic
components and building blocks in certain parts of the
body, specially brain. That is why appropriate supply of
fats is critically important for the growing brains of
babies and kids. Only two fatty acids (Fats are acidic
in nature, that is why cause heartburn in vulnerable
patients) are considered essential, which means our
bodiess cannot synthesise those, so, those must be the
part of our food and healthy diets.
Vitamins and minerals are essential for carrying out
important nutritional functions and chemical reactions.
In certain amounts, that you can found on US Food and
Drug Administration website, beside others, they are
absolutely necessary for good and healthy metabolism.
With the passage of time, during the course of
evolution, coupled with improved affordability and
abundance of food, particularly in more developed and
wealthier nations, enjoying food and attaining the
satisfaction of all five senses with food has become the
primary objective of eating and ingestion of food,
rather than sustaining life. This is causing a serious
and rapidly growing problem of obesity and related
hazards. Food industry, advertising, media, government
and bad legislation are also blamed, rather justifiable.
Ever increasing stress in modern lifestyle is very
big contributor in this problem. Artificial chemicals,
an integral part of everyday life now, including all
type of food, particularly prepared or semi-prepared,
are also blamed, with enough scientific evidence and
nobody really knows what are the long term effects of
these chemicals in broader terms.
Newer studies are also showing that some genetic,
familial and environmental factors may also be
responsible for obesity. As a matter of fact obesity has
both genetic and learned behaviors as components.
Obesity is serious issue in many ways. First of all
it is a drift from what human mind has always considered
beautiful, attractive and sexy. Fat people do not get as
much attention and in many case are seriously neglected
and discriminated.
Obesity naturally causes behavioural problems like
laziness and tardiness because obviously it is harder
for heavier people to move and to move quickly. It also
causes a larger burden on muscles, bones and joints and
they get tired quicker than in thinner people. It causes
faster deterioration of joints due to more pressure and
weight on joints and fat people are more likely to have
osteoarthritis, comparatively earlier in their lives.
Because of natural problems with movement an obese
person is more likely to be less efficient in performing
his/her duties as parent, employee, business person,
citizen, etc. They are more likely to be neglected and
suffer from a less satisfying life. Their sex and love
life is effected too. Because of perceived less physical
attractiveness, beauty and sexual attraction, it is
harder for them to find a partner and get love. Because
they are commonly perceived as less beautiful,
attractive and sexy and more lazy and neglectful they
are less likely to sustain relationships with sexual
partners, lovers, spouses, employers and clients. This
has a very high emotional, psychological, social,
economic and financial cost.
Because of obesity related problems the healthcare
cost for themselves, for employers and insurance
companies and for counties, cities, states and countries
are higher too. That means they are a burden for
taxpayers, states and governments, too.
Obesity causes cardiovascular problems and since the
cardio vascular system is supplier of nutrients and
oxygen and remover of carbon-di-oxide and excretory
products from whole body, virtually every part of the
body is effected. From heart attacks and strokes to
varicose veins and kidney problems to constipation and
gas to snoring and sleep apnea, there is a whole array
of complexities related to obesity. It reduces the life
expectancy and puts you at a higher risk for disability,
which means you cannot take care of people you love,
anymore, you cannot keep your job or business andyou are
very likely to require welfare, and government and
taxpayer assistance.
because of all these problems related to obesity, the
obese people are also very likely to suffer from mood
disorders like depression, dipolar disorder, extreme
irritability, reactionary meanness, suicide.
If you are suffering from obesity, first of all you
need to realize that it is a problem. Many obese
people try to close their eyes from existing and
potential problems just by saying that it is just
discrimination, media hoax and jearless behavior. No
doubt that these problems do exist but dangers are real
and obvious and the person who suffers the most is you,
the obese person. At the top of it, the tyranny of
obesity does not stop at you. It effects everyone,
including your loved ones, your co-workers, neighbours,
clients and citizens and taxpayers, as well. There is no
doubt that there is lot of discrimination going on
against obese people and media has just made it worse,
but it doesn't mean that you are yourself not
responsible for it and/or you cannot or should not get
rid of this problem.
So, first and foremost thing as always is the deep
and whole-hearted appreciation of problem. Then you must
be fully determined that you have to get rid of this
problem and you can definitely get rid of this problem.
After all, still there are billions of people in this
world who are not obese. If they are not why can't you
not.
If you remember discussion at the beginning of this
article, over eating is a mind-set. Get rid of it. You
can absolutely live and live good and even better
and more by eating less. It is scientifically and
statistically proved fact by many controlled studies now
that more people die, disabled and get sick because of
over eating than starvation.
It starts from you, your family and home. Remember,
if you have junk in your house, you will eat it.
Temptation is just too much. So, DO NOT BUY JUNK. It
will save you tons of money in grocery, too.
Doesn't matter what TV is telling you, only five foods
are essential, in limited quantity. Proteins, fats,
carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. That is it. No
more, no less.
Get myths out of your life. If you think seriously
about it, the myths like "I must eat meat every day", "I
cannot live without ice cream", "No cheese, no food",
"Eggs are must for breakfast", "Must have something
sweet with every meal", have no rationale in them. You
just learned and made them integral part of your life.
You certainly do not have to have meat every day. As a
matter of fact, billions of people, including the author
of this article are vegetarians and it is the fastest
growing nutrition based group of population in the
world. If you think, it is not man enough to be a
vegetarian then think about that some of the most
powerful, muscular and your favorite animals are
vegetarians. Like horse, for example. You can certainly
live with much less ice cream in your life. Cheese
has lots of power but it clogs your arteries that
ultimately reduces your power, both physical and sexual,
and even kills you. You definitely don't have to eat
eggs every day, since now there are so many healthy
alternatives to eggs in breakfast. Only stuff most sweet
dishes provide you is calories from fat and sugar, that
you can have from much healthier alternatives, in much
healthier quantities.
Be sure that pleasure and enjoyment, including one
from food, are important part of our lives but it is not
worth to have it at the cost of shorter, and poorer
quality life. This leads us to another important
part of this discussion, PORTIONS. With the passage of
time, bad advertising from food manufacturers and
restaurants, and abundance and easy availability
of, particularly junk food, we have learned to eat food
in enormously big portions. Another contributing factor
to it is eating under stress and time restraints,
specially at work. This makes us eat fast and not really
enjoy the food. So, we get satisfaction by eating large
portions. Eat in smaller and shallow plates, and eat
slow. Chew a lot and try to enjoy the taste, flavor and
texture of food. This is proven to reduce the amount of
food ingested, with increased satisfaction and
gratification. This is why in many European and other
countries employers are now required to provide longer
lunch and other eating breaks. Once, eating faster with
large portions, becomes a habit then, you always eat
fast and more and never really enjoy your food.
Don't forget weight is Input minus output. You don't
only have to reduce input that is eating but also have
to increase output that is exercise and physical
activity. I know it is very hard to find time for
exercise in todays busy and very stressful lifestyle.
But you should know that we are intentionally spoiled by
automobile and oil industry. Sadentry lifestyle and
construction of neighborhoods in which you have to drive
car even to buy a gallon of milk, are part of
conspiracy. Mom and pop, corner of the street stores are
replaced by Wal-Mart, CVS, Seven-Elevens, super markets
and so-called convenience stores. Buying cart full of
grocery in bulk amounts has become fashionable and
desirable. If you must buy from the store or super
market at a distance and, large quantities of big packs
then obviously you cannot walk to store, you have to
drive.
Try to make walking a habit. If possible try to walk
to stores, work, metro and bus stations,
community centers and neighbors. Alternatively, try to
use bicycle. I know our current way of living, built
under the strong influence of auto and oil industry and
their lobbies, seriously discourages healthy lifestyle.
Try to change it as much as you can. You will help
yourself, your family, nation, country and environment.
You should also understand that weight loss is no
achieved by spending huge sums of money on expensive
diet and exercise programs and gyms. It is achieved by
lifestyle changes. These changes may look small at
times, but small and effective lifestyle changes, like
minor changes in your office and work environment, can
have significant long term effects. A
mayo clinic study found these techniques very
effective without causing any efficiency loss to
workplace.
Unfortunately, we have become a very impatient
nation. Due to the influence of disposable society, we
live in, also built under the strong influence of
corporations and their lobbies, we want everything now.
We want everything to happen immediately and results
must be obtained in an instant. This is also coming from
ever reducing trust in our society. There were
times when we used to have unshakable belief in human
nature. A series of disasters and mishaps are
making us trust no one, including politicians,
so-called experts, analysts, media, government,
corporations and priests, as well. We are seriously
disappointed again and again. This is causing a global
nervousness. Lake of trust is a very serious problem and
I believe this problem and it affects particularly
long-term, are being grossly underestimated. Every thing
in our lives depends on mutual trust. Once it is gone
there is nothing left. Without trust there is no society
and civilization and we will be a bunch of wild
animals living in unruly jungle. The consequence is, if
we do not see results quick enough we immediately become
shaky and start thinking, what I was told is right? Am I
fooled again? Is it really going to work? And then we
have opportunists like politicians, corporations, media
companies, advertisers and propagandists, who
immediately take advantage of our shakiness and say,
what the hell are you doing? That's not going to work!
Why you are compromising your great lifestyle and all
the pleasures of life for this stupidity? See jones and
everyone else is still doing it? This is not really
American and/or christian!
Trust me this is all bull shit. The only right way is
the one that is good for you, your health and your life,
and most good things do not happen immediately. In real
life there is nothing like immediate results. It only
happens in Disney movies. A good and healthy lifestyle
is rather a life long struggle. There are always going
to be temptations, bigger and more attractive. Forced
even more powerfully and tactfully, on you. Only faith
and determination can keep you away from them. A firm
belief in yourself and your goal of healthier lifestyle,
and thinner and lighter you. The rewards, all physical,
emotional, psychological, financial and even sexual are
far bigger then what you are giving up. So, be strong
and keep going on. You surely deserve it.
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