For about 95 percent of the population, especially on the African continent, food is viewed primarily as a means to satisfy hunger. It is also seen as a cultural inheritance, a display of wealth, and a fundamental aspect of humanity. All human activities and endeavours involve measurements, such as tailoring clothing, constructing buildings, selecting athletes for sports, producing goods, and preparing pharmaceuticals. This inherent characteristic, given by our creator, should apply to every aspect of life, including dieting. Unfortunately, more than three-quarters of the global population tends to overlook this principle.
Ever considered why drugs are prepared with quantified measured chemical components taken for treatment of a specific diseased condition? I believe you have. It is based on the body’s requirements to prevent overdose and the problems associated with it. Even with that, there could still be side effects depending on its usage.
A typical instance may be acetaminophen (paracetamol) indicated for moderate pain and pyrexia where 0.5g-1g may be taken every four to six hours with a maximum daily dose of 4g, above this dosage or overuse may have adverse effects such as haematological reactions, skin reactions, allergic reactions and above all, liver damage.
Similarly, food also contains chemical molecular components that support living things, more specifically humans. That is the basis for the popular saying, “You are what you eat”. It is documented that healthy eating behaviour maintains a healthy weight, reduces the risk of chronic diseases, and eliminates eating behaviours seen as disorders to promote overall health.
Uncontrolled
Uncontrolled energy intake from macro nutrients-carbohydrates, proteins and fat has resulted in these chronic diseases: obesity, undernutrition, gastroesophageal reflux disease, cancers of the (breast, prostate, oesophagus, gastric, gall bladder, liver, colon and anal, etc.), overeating exacerbate ulcer symptoms, gallstones, kidney stones, constipation, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, haemorrhoids, atherosclerosis, hypertension, heart attack, stroke, coronary artery disease, metabolic syndrome, chronic kidney disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, nephrotic syndrome, cirrhosis, dyslipidaemia, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, gout, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, premenstrual syndrome, polycystic ovarian syndrome, endometriosis, uterine myoma, sub-fertility in both sexes, cataract and glaucoma just to mention a few.
Micronutrients consist of all vitamins and minerals. A deficiency occurs when there is an insufficient intake of these nutrients, while toxicity refers to the harmful effects of excessive intake. Both deficiencies and excesses of micronutrients can lead to various chronic diseases, including:
- Xerosis
- Night blindness
- Keratomalacia
- Xerophthalmia
- Hyperkeratosis
- Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
- Multiple sclerosis
- Heart disease
- Osteomalacia
- Hemophilia
- Cardiomegaly
- Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
- Beriberi
- Pellagra
- Insomnia
- Hydrocephalus
- Spina bifida
- Encephalocele
- Anemia
- Liver damage
- Depression
- Scurvy
- Seizures
- Coronary heart disease
- Arrhythmias
- Cardiac arrest
- Sexual dysfunction
- Immune dysfunction
- Congenital birth defects
- Diarrhea
- Dermatitis
- Wilson’s disease
- Goiter
- Cretinism
- Keshan disease
- Increased mortality
Ensuring a balanced intake of micronutrients is essential for overall health and well-being.
Quantity
In Ghana, many people do not take into consideration the quantity of food ingested per meal and throughout the day. This is even seen among the so-called health professionals and not considered the ordinary Ghanaian who has less to no knowledge about nutrition and health. This is a documented study conducted by a group of dietitians and myself a few years ago. As weight, height, gender and age form the basis for drug dosage, the same happens with food quantity intake.
Food intake quantity takes into account various lifestyle factors, including physical activity level, stress levels, alcohol consumption, smoking, and underlying medical conditions. It also considers outcomes such as weight loss or gain. A simple method to estimate the daily caloric intake needed for your body is to multiply your current weight by a range of 22 to 25 for a normally healthy individual. This calculation will provide the number of kilocalories required each day. However, this estimate does not guarantee optimal health. For detailed and personalized nutritional guidance, it is best to consult a dietitian or nutritionist.
The incidence of genetic conditions and non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) is deeply rooted in what we eat daily. It is, therefore, crucial for individuals and stakeholders to uphold health and nutrition education across the country and worldwide to overturn this menace. We should always remember health is wealth.
The writer is the Lead Dietitian, Emmanuel Eye Medical Centre, East Legon.
