Cost and Social Benefits of a Balanced Diet - Essay Example

A Balanced Diet By A Balanced Diet Introduction Being and staying healthy is one of the major challenges which many individuals face. Keeping to a healthy diet and a healthy lifestyle is a difficult undertaking because of the many temptations which people face in terms of food and activities. And yet, it is through the maintenance of healthy living and healthy habits that innumerable benefits can be experienced. These benefits come in the form of decreased risk for illnesses and chronic diseases; in general, they also help ensure longer lives for people. Other benefits are also forthcoming in the practice of a healthy lifestyle and these benefits shall be discussed in this paper. This paper shall discuss the cost and social benefits of a balanced diet on good health, as compared to other medical interventions such as operations and medicines. This paper shall develop based on the premise that a balanced diet would have significant health and financial benefits for the people because it reduces the risks for obesity, heart attacks, diabetes, and cancer which are all expensive to treat. This research is being undertaken in order to ensure a comprehensive understanding of health and to guarantee the implementation of a healthy balanced diet in the general population. Discussion A balanced and healthy diet is one which fulfils a person’s nutritional needs without providing too much of such nutrients. In effect, a person must know the right amount of calories which should be consumed on a daily basis; the portions to be eaten for the different foods; and the healthy options from the different food groups (Zieve, 2010). There are various examples of healthy diets based on varying standards – from the NHS and from other countries as well. In general however, a balanced diet must include carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, mineral salts and fibre (Purchon, 2006). Carbohydrates are converted by the body into glucose which is very much needed by the body as a source of energy. Proteins are needed for growth and repair (Purchon, 2006). Proteins are first converted into simpler molecules called the amino acids and these are later transported to the different parts of the body for growth, repair, and as a source of energy. Fats are also needed by our body in order to insulate us against the cold (Purchon, 2006). Vitamins are needed in small quantities in our body; they are very much needed by our body – for our eyes, blood, skin, and normal organ functions. Mineral salts like iron, calcium, sodium, and iodine are also necessary nutrients for our body’s normal functions. Iron is needed to make haemoglobin; calcium is needed by our teeth, bones, and muscles; sodium by our cells, especially our nerve cells; and iodine is needed to make the hormone thyroxin which regulates our hormone functions (Purchon, 2006). Fibres are also necessary because they regulate the elimination process in our digestive system. The above nutrients are important in order to ensure a balanced diet. They must also be taken in the proper proportion in order to allow adequate growth and repair; to allow sufficient energy in carrying out our daily activities; and to ensure that our body stays healthy, free from imbalances, and free from disease (Drummond & Brefere, 2007, p. 20). Fibres have also been known to decrease blood cholesterol levels because “the fibres bind and reduce reabsorption of bile acids” (DeBruyne, Pinna, & Whitney, 2008, p. 514). For diabetics, a high fibre diet has also been known to decrease blood sugar levels by slowing down and stabilizing the glucose absorption in the digestive system (Dumke, 2007, p. 8). Maintaining a healthy balanced diet is important because it helps maintain the acid and alkaline balance in our body. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2010) discusses that the body can acquire nutrients when the pH is in balance. A pH which is too acidic is often a product of a diet which is too high in “acid-producing animal products like meat, eggs, and dairy and far too low in alkaline-producing foods like fresh vegetables” (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2010). Moreover, when the diet is rich in acid producing drinks like coffee and soft drinks, or when the intake of drugs which form acid is too high, the body tends to lean more towards an acidic pH. Too much acidity in the body can eventually lead to various problems in the system which may not be detected for years, but which can later manifest with the following health issues: cardiovascular damage; weight gain, diabetes; immune deficiency; premature aging, osteoporosis, low energy; joint pain and chronic fatigue (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2010). By guaranteeing that food portions are within healthy standards and by ensuring that these portions contain the nutrients which the body would need for normal functioning, the aforementioned diseases can be avoided. When these diseases are avoided, there are lesser incidents of hospitalization, medical consultations, surgeries, and medication. Across the lifespan, especially among the elderly and the younger population, eating a balanced diet helps to ensure that unfavourable health issues are avoided (White, 2001, p. 359). By avoiding hospitalizations and other health services, the cost of general health maintenance by the government and the private sector would also be decreased. In observing a balanced diet, the immune system can be maintained and consequently, diseases can be easily fought off by the body (Hulott, 2010). They help prevent heart diseases and different types of cancers. In many ways, they also prevent the risk of developing diabetes. Heart diseases, cancers, and diabetes are all chronic illnesses which can be prevented by observing a balanced diet (McKeith, 2006, p. 13). In the UK, according to a WHO report (n.d), the country (in 2005) was estimated to have lost about 2 billion dollars in income due to premature deaths from heart diseases, stroke, and diabetes. On a cumulative basis, the UK is estimated to lose, for a period of 10 years about 33 billion dollars in income due to premature deaths from these diseases (WHO, n.d). Moreover, caring for chronically ill individuals takes up a major portion of health and social resources because about 17.5 million people in the UK live with these chronic conditions, and about 80% of physician consultations are attributed to these chronic diseases (Akhtar & Sheikh, 2007). These chronic diseases are preventable diseases and the aforementioned costs can be avoided by observing a balanced diet. By integrating healthy habits into people’s lives from a very young age, the cost of caring and of health services for chronic care can be markedly diminished. A report released by the NHS (2010) also revealed that the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) which was conceptualized by the National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute is very much effective in preventing heart attacks (Tessmer & Green, 2010, p. 7). In this report, a trial was conducted to assess the diet which was rich in fruit and vegetables and low in saturated fat. The tests revealed that those enrolled under the program successfully decreased their blood pressure and cholesterol levels; and they also decreased their risk for heart disease and obesity (NHS, 2010). In particular, those placed under the DASH diet incurred an 18% decrease in their risk for CHD as compared to the group not placed under the DASH diet. Moreover, considering the fact that the DASH diet was only implemented for 8 weeks implies that even better results may be expected if the DASH diet were to be continued for more than 8 weeks (NHS, 2010). With the decreased risk for the development of CHD and CAD, the probability of reducing cost for the care and upkeep of such diseases in the future is now a more attainable goal. When started from an early age, a healthy diet impacts even more significantly on a person’s life, reducing his risk of accumulating health risks and thereby reducing his risk of later developing major health issues (Beaver & Brewster, 2002, p. 11). By starting healthy habits from an early age, it is easier for the child to maintain such habits; most especially, to avoid being affected by common diseases and eventually, to live a longer and less illness-prone life (Page, 2005, p. 200). Studies reveal that a person’s risk of later developing chronic diseases begins as early as foetal life – continuing on to old age (WHO, 2003). These studies also point out that adult chronic diseases often represent the combined effects of previous exposure to damaging environments and habits (WHO, 2003). During infancy, issues like delayed foetal growth, insufficient nutrition in the womb, and over-nutrition in the womb are often linked to higher future risks for coronary artery disease, stroke, and diabetes. Breastfeeding has also been known to decrease the risk for obesity, type 1diabetes, and cancers in later life. Children with low weight have also been known to present with a higher risk for developing CAD, stroke, and diabetes (WHO, 2003). Among adolescents and children, unhealthy diets have been largely associated with CAD and obesity, and other chronic diseases. For those above 60 years of age, risks incurred during younger years often manifest in the form of chronic diseases and other age-related illnesses (WHO, 2003). It is therefore safe to conclude that for as long as healthy choices are made in people’s diet and habits, the above chronic risks can be prevented at each stage of the developmental process, and eventually across the lifespan. An important benefit seen in healthy diets is the fibre found in fruits and vegetables. Insoluble fibre binds with water in the intestines and as a result, it increases the volume of waste materials (AFIC, 2004). It then makes the bowel movement more frequent and decreases the risk of constipation. Soluble fibre, on the other hand, “traps fatty substances in the intestines thereby helping prevent their absorption by the body. This is thought to be the reason that soluble fibre helps to lower blood cholesterol levels” (AFIC, 2004). Studies also point out that fibre in the large intestines serve as a source of energy for healthy bacteria to use. These healthy bacteria, more particularly, lactic-acid producing bacteria prevent the accumulation of toxic and pathogenic bacteria which often cause various illnesses (AFIC, 2004). A fibre-rich diet is also an important preventive measure for colorectal cancer. Research strongly indicates a correlation between low fat and high-fibre diets in the incidence of colorectal cancer (AFIC, 2004). Other studies also claim that fibre-rich diets decrease the risk of coronary artery disease and diabetes. Once again, these are chronic diseases which would mean higher costs to treat and to maintain. The prevention of illnesses is the crux upon which a balanced diet is based. By observing a healthy diet and practising a healthy lifestyle, future risk for diseases can be prevented (Pacala, 2007). Based on studies and trends, there is a strong link between lifestyle and diseases. People who make poor lifestyle choices, which includes a diet which is high in calories and cholesterol; people who smoke; and people who live sedentary lives are very likely to incur risks in the development of diseases like coronary heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and similar chronic illnesses (Pacala, 2007). As was previously emphasized, these diseases can be prevented, especially when preventive measures are incorporated into a person’s life as early as possible. Engaging in exercise on a daily basis, not smoking or quitting smoking, limiting alcohol use, and getting adequate sleep are all healthy choices which have a major impact on one’s chances of later on being afflicted with various diseases (Pacala, 2007). These activities are not costly activities. In fact, by quitting smoking and reducing alcohol intake, a person stands to gain and save cost in the purchase of cigarettes and alcohol. A report published in the Forbes magazine reveals that alcohol, smoking, and overeating are three of the world’s most expensive addictions (Van Riper, 2006). Alcohol addiction is estimated to cost about $166 billion annually; smoking at $157 billion annually; and overeating at $107 billion annually (Van Riper, 2006). The cost for overeating is mostly attributed to the incurred risk for health problems, more particularly, heart attacks and heart diseases (Van Riper, 2006). The National Institutes for Health estimate that obesity causes about 14% of heart attacks among males and 20% for females. Moreover, most of the $107 billion is directed to the treatment of heart diseases, osteoarthritis, hypertension, gall bladder disease, and cancer (Van Riper, 2006). These are all diseases which can be partly or wholly attributed to addictions and imbalance in the diet – too much fat, too much uric acid, and too much cholesterol in the system. Studies in Europe have also linked obesity to the high cost of health care. In the UK, recent estimates reveal that the cost of maintaining coronary heart disease is up to 11 billion pounds a year (Food Navigator, 2002). These estimates are based on the number of individuals who were diagnosed with heart disease, along with the cost of direct health care, informal care, and lost productivity and earnings from afflicted individuals (Food Navigator, 2002). Direct cost estimated were related to the cost of prevention, emergency and hospital care, rehabilitation, and drug treatment (Food Navigator, 2002). Health spending for coronary heart disease is also attributed to hospital and in-patient care, as well as prescriptions for the treatment and maintenance of these diseases. It is also important for people to note that not all fats are bad for the health; some are actually good for us and they are aptly called the good fats. Good fats are also known as unsaturated fats and are further categorized into monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats (Senay & Waters, 2004, p. 5). Unsaturated fats raise high-density lipoprotein or good cholesterol and get decrease low-density lipoprotein or the bad cholesterol. They are liquid at room temperature and monounsaturated fats are found in olives, olive oil, canola oil, nuts, peanuts, and avocados; polyunsaturated fats are more popularly found in fishes like salmon, sardines, mackerel, and herring (Senay & Waters, 2004, p. 5). Fats have their function to play in our body, however, as has been constantly emphasized by this paper, a balance in the diet has to be achieved. Therefore, too much fat can be dangerous for the body, and too much of the wrong type of fat can be disastrous. Fatty acids and phospholipids make up the membrane surrounding our cells (Stanton, 1997, p. 17). These lipids are also needed in blood clotting and good cholesterol is needed in order to make bile which digests fat (Stanton, 1997, p. 17). Fats are also important in cushioning our organs from impact; it protects our joints and gives us energy store for times when we may not have access to food (Stanton, 1997, p. 17). Bad fats, on the other hand, are also known as saturated fats. They are mostly found in meat and other animal products like milk, poultry, chicken, butter, cheese, lard, and tropical oils (Torkos, 2007, p. 34). Diet rich in bad fats have been linked to a variety of diseases including heart diseases and cancers of the breast, colon, and prostate. Bad cholesterol is common among obese individuals and they are at risk of experiencing the above-mentioned diseases (Torkos, 2007, p. 35). Trans fats are also considered to be bad fats because of their impact on the body very much like saturated fats – only, worse. Trans fats are also found in animal products, but the bulk of it come from processed commercial foods (Torkos, 2007, p. 45). These fats are created when oils undergo the chemical process of hydrogenation. They are found in cookies, crackers, baked goods, snack goods, French fries, and other processed foods (Torkos, 2007, p. 39). They cause elevated cholesterol levels, thereby increasing the risk for heart diseases and different types of cancer (Torkos, 2007, p. 39). In the current age of processed foods, trans fats are fast becoming a major source of bad fats for many people (Hayes & Laudan, 2009, p. 1039). In the midst of the current global economic crisis, healthcare has been one of the sectors of governance which has felt the economic pinch. In order to address economic issues, different states have set forth remedies including budget cuts for the health sector. A report from the Ministry of Health in British Columbia reveals that their efforts to control health care cost have been geared towards the promotion of a healthy diet and healthy habits among their citizens. Many of their citizens have expressed their support for the government goals. They have acknowledged the fact that it is possible to reduce health care costs if they paid more focus on what they ate; if they reduced their portions; and if they remained physically active (Plank, 2006). In effect, the government programs have been directed towards ensuring access to safe and nutritious foods to the elderly, those living with disabilities, the single parents, and those with low incomes (Plank, 2006). In the process, they have been making long-term investments towards healthy living and towards decreased cases of heart diseases and its related health issues. Conclusion Maintaining a balanced diet would have a significant health and financial benefit for the people because it reduces the risk for obesity, heart attacks, diabetes, and cancer, which are all expensive to treat. A balanced diet which contains all the necessary nutrients, in the proper proportions provides the body with the necessary tools in order to reduce future risks for diseases like coronary heart diseases, atherosclerosis, diabetes, cancers, and other chronic illnesses. When the body is equipped to avoid the above diseases, lesser incidents of hospitalization, consultations, and medications would be seen, thereby ensuring that lesser expenses are allocated for health care and its related services. In effect, maintaining a healthy balanced diet reduces spending in relation to the treatment and maintenance of chronic illnesses and other diseases which can be prevented through the proper balance of nutrients. 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