Successful Aging, Part Two:DIET

In Part 1, we discussed how exercise helps us to stay youthful and strong. Part 2 is about Feeding. The adage is “You are what you eat.” We now know that it is not only what you eat; the timing of meals plays significant roles in our health too. The foods we eat fall into one of 3 categories mainly, Carbohydrates, Proteins, and Fats. CARBOHYDRATES Fruits, Vegetables, Milk, and Grains provide the body with energy for our daily activities. When ingested and digested, carbohydrates enter the circulation in the form of Glucose, which is then used to produce ATP, the fuel molecule that drives most activities of the body. Carbohydrates consumption causes the Pancreas to release insulin. Insulin allows Glucose to enter Muscles and Fat cells, where they are used for Energy production. Unbalanced-High-carbohydrate Diet is Unhealthy Surplus glucose is stored in the Liver and Muscles as Glycogen and in Fat cells for Triglycerides production. When a diet is unbalanced and the Carbohydrates provide greater than 60% of calories, serum Triglyceride levels tends to rise. High levels of triglycerides impede blood circulation. It has, therefore, been recommended that Calories provided by Carbohydrate should form less than 50- 60% of the total daily calorie intake. Insulin enables sugars and the products of Fats digestion (Fatty Acid and monoglycerides) to leave the general circulation and enter the Fat cells. Fat cells are then able to produce more Triglycerides. The Triglycerides and Fatty acids are then stored as White Fat in the body and this leads to Weight gain and Obesity. Person with high Triglyceride and bad cholesterol levels should limit their carbohydrate intake to less than 50% of the total energy consumption per day. Many people have successfully lost weight by lowering the portions of carbohydrates in their diets. PROTEINS After […]

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