bodybuilding

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that leads to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency virus) and works by slowly destroying the body’s own immune system leaving it open to any virus that may be encountered. Normal infections and illnesses that would be fought off by the body become life threatening. It is estimated that up to 75% of the people who are infected with HIV may go for as long as ten years before showing the first signs or symptoms, and there are some indications that those who might be potentially infected are not being well informed of their need to be tested in light of potential symptoms. These include persistent and chronic yeast infections, abnormal pap smears and pelvic inflammatory disease (Source: MacLean, Ed. 1993). It is important that everyone who is sexually active be tested to be sure of their status and know the warning signs for HIV infection.

Cystic Fibrosis, or CF, is the most common, lethal, inherited disorder among Caucasians and occurs in about 1 in every 2000 births. (Source: Papalia, Olds and Feldman, 2008) The disease was once thought to be an automatic death sentence because most children did not make it to their 21st birthday. In modern times, the children who are afflicted with Cystic Fibrosis are living into their thirties and sometimes beyond. Women with Cystic Fibrosis are also managing to get pregnant, which can be a problem because of the nature of the disease itself.

Pregnancy is one of the physiological states in a women’s life that is nutritionally demanding. A well balanced diet ensures a well-nourished body that can adequately meet the demands of pregnancy, fetal development and lactation. The growing fetus continuously depletes nutritional stores of the mother. Hence the mother needs extra nutrition for replenishing her own body resources as well as provide for the baby. Good nutrition is mandatory for healthy mother and a healthy baby. Among the nutrients needed in pregnancy, protein plays a vital role.

Studies show that one percent of all teenage girls and young women in their 20s will develop anorexia nervosa, and that 10 to 15% of those girls will die due to complications from this condition. Some men develop this condition as well, usually teenage boys.

Diabetes (which affects more than 6% of the US population or over 18,000,000 people [i]) is diagnosed when the body is not creating or effectively utilizing the hormone called insulin. As a result, much-needed energy from sugar, starch, and other sources are not being exploited as effectively as they should. This can lead to severe adverse health consequences, including nerve, ocular, and kidney problems [ii].

We know that our mothers and fathers contribute to our health and wellbeing by giving us the genetics that determine how easily we fight off illness as well as how tall we are and the color of our hair. But did you know that what your mother ate during her pregnancy can influence your health status later in life? There are a number of studies that show the importance of not only good health in a woman at the start of her pregnancy, but continuous good nutrition for the duration of the pregnancy and throughout lactation as well. Some of the studies include:

Anyone who has spent a day fasting from food, or who has even skipped a meal, knows just how much time we save when we are not provisioning and consuming meals. Of course, efficiency is not our only concern when it comes to eating. If we were to articulate our fundamental requirements for food, we would probably come up with the following: (1) it should give us the nutrition our bodies need (2) it should support our body transformation goals (e.g. lose fat or gain muscle) (3) it should taste good (4) it should be convenient. Foods that meet two or three of these requirements quickly become a mainstay in most diets.

The importance of protein in diet has been clearly established by nutritional scientists, and widely accepted by athletes. Among other vital functions, protein is indispensable for creating muscle. Just as important is protein’s essential ability to repair damaged muscles after training [i].