Women’s Health
Women’s health needs special attention in different stages, including (pregnancy) to treat the potential risks of (osteoporosis and anaemia).
The relationship between therapeutic nutrition and slimming:
Medical nutrition is the basis for weight management. It is used in conjunction with physical activity, lifestyle improvement and behaviour modification with meals reduced in calories in the amount of 500-1000 kcal per day and the provision of essential micronutrients through nutritious foods that can be enjoyed as part of a low-calorie lunch plan.
Self-monitoring such as keeping records of food, activity, and frequent weight should be used to increase self-awareness and help motivate patients.
Dietary factors are key to the cause of obesity Genetic factors play an important role in predisposing to obesity.
Weight loss methods:
Delicious foods rich in energy, fat and sugar help you gain weight. These foods activate the brain’s reward systems and reduce the response to satiety signals, which promotes overconsumption.
It is important to combine sports activities with diet to get a faster response from the body and last for a longer period of time. Individuals who consume foods low in calories and higher in water and fiber (salads, soups, vegetables, and fruits) instead of high-calorie foods feel full sooner and automatically reduce their food intake.
The following methods enhance weight control:
A low-fat vegetarian diet:
It has been found that individuals who follow a vegetarian diet tend to be leaner than carnivores because grains, legumes, vegetables and fruits are low in fat and high in complex carbohydrates and fiber.
In addition, low-fat plant-based diets promote greater weight loss than low-fat diets and improve plasma lipids and insulin sensitivity.
Reduce fat intake:
Dietary fat contains more than twice as many calories per gram than protein and carbohydrates and promotes negative excessive energy consumption. Low-fat diets have been shown to consistently promote moderate weight loss. Common sources of fat are meat, dairy, fried foods, and added oils.
Choose foods rich in complex carbohydrates and fiber:
Whole grains and legumes provide filling fiber and contribute minimally to your overall energy intake. Studies show that fiber intake is inversely related to body weight and body fat.
Reduce sugars:
Sucrose, high-fructose corn syrup, and other sugars add calories without feeling full, resulting in an association between intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and weight gain and obesity in children and adults.
Using an equal-calorie, energy-limiting diet through a low-fat diet leads to more body fat loss than a low-carb diet. Low-carbohydrate diets increase plasma LDL concentrations.
It is important to choose foods that help maintain a healthy weight gain during pregnancy and to feed newborns breastmilk versus formula whenever possible.
Lack of vitamins and minerals in the body The body needs many different vitamins and minerals that are necessary for body growth and disease prevention. Undernutrition occurs when the body does not absorb or obtain the necessary amount of nutrients from food. Deficiencies can lead to a variety of health problems.
The necessary minerals and vitamins that areimportant for Women’s Health :
1- Vitamin A deficiency: Vitamin A is a group of nutrients necessary for eye health and function, reproductive health in men and women, and in strengthening the immune system against infections.
2- Vitamin B deficiency: Vitamin B is divided into 8 types and the most common types of deficiency are the following:
Vitamin B1 deficiency: Vitamin B1 is called thiamine. It is an important part of the nervous system and helps the body convert carbohydrates into energy as part of the metabolism process. Vitamin B1 deficiency in the blood leads to nerve and muscle damage and can affect the heart.
Vitamin B3 deficiency: Vitamin B3 is called niacin, and severe niacin deficiency is referred to as pellagra. Symptoms of pellagra include diarrhoea, dementia, and skin disorders.
Vitamin B9 deficiency: Vitamin B9 is called folic acid, as it helps form red blood cells and produce DNA. Brain development and nervous system functioning
Vitamin B12 deficiency: Vitamin B12 is called cobalamin, and it is responsible for helping the body produce enough healthy red blood cells. Vitamin B12 deficiency in the blood may lead to pernicious anaemia. This is a type of anemia caused by a reduced ability to absorb B12 efficiently. Pernicious anaemia is more common in people with autoimmune disorders and inflammatory or gastrointestinal diseases.
3- Vitamin D deficiency: Vitamin D helps the body maintain the correct levels of calcium in order to regulate the growth of teeth and bones. A deficiency in this nutrient can lead to stunted or poor bone growth. With osteoporosis due to a lack of calcium and vitamin D, it turns into porous and brittle bones that can be broken very easily.