Six things you need in a good diet part 2/2.

The basics of a good diet for a good mood, a long healthy life and the prevention of degenerative disease.



Today, consuming a good diet for maintaining your health is of paramount importance. In these times of higher pollution rates, soil degradation, pesticides, sedentary lifestyles and the wide availability of fatty, sugary and processed foods, we need good food now more than ever before.
Without the benefits of key components of a wide variety of natural, fresh foods, we’re likely to suffer from a range of chronic degenerative diseases as well as acute conditions that can make life miserable for us and those around us.

But what exactly constitutes a good diet? There are some key components nobody can live without, and they are as follows: vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, proteins and fibre. Here’s what they are and what they do:

Proteins

Proteins form an essential part of all living organisms and participate in every process within cells. They cause biochemical reactions to happen, and are vital to metabolism.
Many have structural or mechanical functions, such as building and maintaining bone and keeping cells healthy for good cellular nutrition. They play an important part in the immune system, which keeps us free of disease.

Now you can see why the name protein comes from the Greek πρώτα ("prota"), meaning "of primary importance"!

Fiber

Fibers are vital for holding body tissues together. Dietary fibers are the indigestible portion of plant foods that help move food through the digestive system.
Sources of fiber include corn, wheat, bran, flax seed, and vegetables. Fibre has clinically demonstrated properties of lowering blood cholesterol when it’s regularly included in the diet. It also stabilises blood glucose levels, helps synthesise cholesterol, helps with the absorption of minerals, improves immune function, and protects the colon.

On average, North Americans consume less than 50% of the dietary fiber levels required for good health. With a deficit of fiber, you are likely to end up suffering from one or more of: diabetes, obesity heart disease, high blood cholesterol, and numerous gastrointestinal disorders such as constipation, hemorroids, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, and colon cancer.

Fortunately, there are many types of soluble fiber supplements available to consumers for nutritional purposes, and despite what many people claim, fiber doesn’t bind to minerals or vitamins and restrict their absorption.

With all these available in easy-to-use supplement form, there’s no excuse for not getting enough.

Additionally you might like to obtain extra vitamins, minerals and enzymes by regularly juicing an array of organic fruits and vegetables.

You may want to take a closer look at the health benefits of juicing.
Whatever method you choose make sure you get your proper share of the essential compounds listed above!


For more information regarding better health through good nutrition, please visit our website.

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