The musculoskeletal system and nutrition

1 April 2024 0 Comments 3 tags

What is the musculoskeletal system?  This system is made up of the muscles, bones and joints that constitute different areas of the body, together with cartilage, tendons, ligaments and connective tissue. All of these structures together allow us to maintain good posture, balance, weight-bearing and movement.   When one of these structures is damaged, that area of the body will respond with pain and reduced function. Here is where nutrition comes in.   How does nutrition affect the body and its healing?  In previous posts, we discussed the role of different nutrients and why they should be included in the diet. But what happens when we don’t have enough?   Malnutrition refers to imbalances or deficiencies in an individual’s nutritional intake. This may lead to a decline in muscle health, making the musculature more weak and reduced in size. Muscle atrophy is namely seen in patients following prolonged hospitalisation and in elderly living in the community who are unable to prepare balanced meals for themselves.   Some effects of malnutrition may not be evident before the body suffers some type of damage. The nutrients mostly involved

Strengthening exercise – Not just for looks!

1 April 2024 0 Comments 3 tags

Before describing a category of exercise, it is important to understand certain terminology which will help us understand the purpose of some exercises: What is strengthening exercise? This question will

Exercise and its role in healthier living

1 April 2024 0 Comments 4 tags

Although having a balanced diet and controlling calorie-intake is of major importance for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, it should not be done on its own. Following an exercise programme or

The Digestive System – How does the body use nutrients?

1 April 2024 0 Comments 2 tags

When we consume food, it passes through the digestive system: in simple terms, the body keeps what we need and gets rid of what we don’t. To better understand the

Vitamins

31 March 2024 0 Comments 2 tags

Vitamins are subdivided into fat-soluble and water-soluble. Each vitamin can be found in different ingredients and has a specific function in the body.   Fat-soluble vitamins  As the name implies, these

The effect of nutritional deficiencies on the skeletal system

31 March 2024 0 Comments 3 tags

One of the systems affected when nutritional intake is not optimal, is the skeletal system. The nutrients required the most include protein, vitamin D and the mineral calcium. These are

Why should fats be avoided?

31 March 2024 0 Comments 2 tags

In the previous posts, the importance of each nutrient was highlighted and several examples of each were mentioned. If lacking in our diet, especially the macronutrients, certain issues will start

Are fats really as bad as we think?

31 March 2024 0 Comments 3 tags

Deficient fat in the diet  Too little fat could be just as harmful as having excess fat in the diet. In the post entitled ‘Fats’, several benefits were mentioned which

Iron – what is the importance of this mineral in our body?

31 March 2024 0 Comments 3 tags

Iron forms part of several structures in the body, including proteins which constitute many complex units such as enzymes. Iron is mostly found in animal products, green leafy vegetables (spinach and broccoli), dark chocolate and some vegetables (tomatoes, potatoes).   The following are some of the functions of iron which will provide a better understanding of the issues caused in the absence of this mineral: Haemoglobin is a protein found in the blood which allows for the transport of

Minerals

31 March 2024 0 Comments 3 tags

Another category of the micronutrients consists of minerals, must be included in the diet in smaller amounts. Some minerals are required more than others. As a general function, minerals help to fight against certain infections and prevent the occurrence of diseases in the body. However, each mineral has its own