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Clinical Practice Pearls
P R O B E
• V o l . L I I I • N o . 3 • A p r – J u n 2 0 1 4
atient Education
Nutrition and good health…Naturally!
What is nutrition?
Nutrition is the intake or supply of
foods necessary for normal functioning
of the body, maintenance of health,
and prevention of diseases. It includes
carbohydrates, proteins, lipids (fats),
vitamins, and minerals.
Nutrition is vital for life!
• Provide energy for efficient functioning of the body
• Help in growth, repair, and maintenance of
body tissues
• Build immunity and increase resistance to infection
and disease
• Help delay lifestyle disorders and keep you healthy.
There are TWO facets of
nutrition!
• Malnutrition
• Balanced nutrition
Know more...
• Malnutrition is a physical condition that occurs when
the body is not getting enough calories and other
nutrients to keep it healthy.
• Balanced nutrition means getting the right amount of
nutrients from healthy foods in the
right combinations, which ensures
minimum recommended nutrition
to the body.
How does malnutrition affect
your health?
Malnutrition represents the ugly side of nutrition, which
causes various health-related problems such as:
• Repeated infections
• Weakness and fatigue
• Poor nutrition to vital organs
• Poor muscle and joint health
• Poor recovery rate
• Reduced productivity
Is balanced nutrition required for
all age-groups?
Yes. A balanced nutrition is highly
recommended for all age-groups.
However, nutritional requirements
vary depending on the age-group,
the physical and mental activities of
individuals in daily life.
Need of nutrition in different
age-groups and conditions
Senior adults:
• Frequent illness and medications
may reduce the appetite, modify
the taste of food, and prevent the
body from absorbing it.
• Recurrent bouts of diarrhea and
constipation may lead to reduced food intake; chewing
and swallowing difficulties.
• Presence of various health conditions (eg, diabetes,
obesity, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, dementia)
may limit food intake.
Hospitalized adults:
• Chronic illness and multiple
medications may result in reduced
appetite, restricted food intake, and
poor immune capacity.
• Lack of proper nutrition may result
in poor response to medication and delayed recovery.
