exercise

Fad diets and eating plans seem to be the norm in the United States. People are confused. They want to look good (meaning thin) and feel good, but they often want the quick fix. There are low-carbohydrate diets, high protein diets, liquid diet supplemental plans, fasting diets, and companies selling prepared meals to be heated in the microwave; and don’t forget all the diet pills. The fact is, these options don’t work otherwise there wouldn’t be so many new ones all the time. What was popular yesterday is out today. With all of this diversity, how does anyone choose?

There are all kinds of diets, from the all cabbage diet to the all soup diet. In the 80’s, there was a high protein, all liquid diet that was very popular, however, there were several problems noted with this plan. A better liquid protein supplement has been found, however, there still remain a number of problems with an all liquid diet of any kind, no matter how nutritious or delicious that the liquid might be. With over 34 million people listed as being obese, it is no wonder that so many different diet plans have been devised. (Source: www.med.Stanford.edu)

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.