1. There are about twenty one (21) minerals in the body
Nutritional minerals make up about 5percent of body weight or say about 2.8kg in a 70 kg. man. There are about twenty one (21) minerals in the body divided into two groups: macrominerals (7) and microminerals (14).
We shall discuss the macrominerals only which include calcium, phosphorus, chloride, potassium, sodium, magnesium, and sulphur. The microminerals are iron, zinc, copper, iodide (iodine), manganese, fluoride, selenium, cobalt etc.
Calcium makes up about 50 percent of the total weight of minerals in the body, phosphorus makes up 25 percent while the other nineteen (19) minerals make the balance 25 percent
Low minerals in the body can lead to severe health problems. The seven macrominerals are discussed below.
2. There are six main groups of vitamins (A, B, C, D, E and K)
A vitamin is an organic compound present in small quantities in the body but essential for body processes. Some are manufactured by us while we obtain others from the food we eat
Some vitamins are stored in some parts of the body such as the liver, lungs, kidneys, and adipose tissue.
In terms of solubility in water, there are two groups of vitamins:- Fat-soluble vitamins and Water-soluble vitamins.
The fat soluble vitamins are A, D, E, and K.; they do not dissolve in water and are more available in fatty foods.
The water soluble vitamins dissolve in water and include B and C.; there are about 8 vitamins under Vitamin B.
Vitamins are necessary for the growth and development of man, and in adulthood, for the maintenance of the body.
Lack of vitamins manifests itself in bone deformities, poor vision, skin changes, reduced resistance to diseases, and accelerated aging among others.
In terms of being vitamins, there are six main groups of vitamins (A, B, C, D, E and K) with each group having many vitamins
3. Lifestyle encompasses taste
Lifestyle is defined as the mode/way of living; it could be lavish/austere, healthy/unhealthy or comfortable/uncomfortable. Lifestyle increases or decreases the risk for a lot illnesses, both communicable and non-communicable. Infact, it is said that a good lifestyle wards off a large number of diseases and ensures a long and healthy life. Taste is a way of life.
By taste, we are referring to the ability to choose well, some persons have very poor taste while others have expensive/high taste or good taste. Those with expensive may do anything to meet their taste or spend on items that not are not really needed but just to satisfy the taste while denying other needs such as school fees or medicare. Meeting one’s high taste may entail mixing or hanging out with persons whose lifestyle may deleteriously affect yours.
4. Eating fish at least twice a week helps maintenance of a healthy weight.
Fish gives less energy than other sources of protein such as meat and chicken in the body; that can be stored for future use.
Excess energy is usually stored in fat cells in the body-abdomen, buttocks and thighs. The number of fat cells is almost limitless, the more the energy that is available for storage, the more the number of fat cells.
Consequently those who eat a lot of fish are less likely to be obese.
5. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women after breast cancer
The cervix is the lower part of the uterus, it is cylindrical in shape and measures about 2 centimetres in length. It has a canal within it which connects the inside of the uterus with the vagina. Sperm cells discharged into the vagina during intercourse pass into the uterus through the cervix and thence to the fallopian tubes. During labour the cervix dilates to allow passage of the baby, failure to dilate may lead to caesarian section to bring out the baby and several complications. The cervix is therefore important in fertility, childbirth and contraception.
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women after breast cancer, with several women being diagnosed with the condition annually around the world. While a few factors decrease the risk for the diseases several factors increase it; the few that decrease the risk include diet high in Vitamin A and Carotenoids such as carrots; use of intrauterine device (IUD) and use of barrier contraceptives such as condom, cervical cap and diaphragm.
6. Safe water prevents a lot of communicable diseases
Good water supply prevents a lot of communicable diseases such as cholera, hepatitis A, typhoid fever, diarrhoeas and dysentery. These are classified as water-borne diseases. Consequently they are common in poor developing countries where potable water is in short supply and the people are un-aware of such simple procedure as boiling water for drinking.
No Comments