Effect of Food on Appearance - Essay Example

Effects of Food on Our Appearance (Student Name) (Institutional Affiliation) Management (Instructor) April 23, 2013 Effect of Food on appearance Introduction Have you taken time to ponder about the fundamental role that food plays in our lives? From birth time, people create a profound association of food to emotions. Starting with babies who when cries they are either answered with a bottle or breast, and we continue to associate food to emotions. People celebrate promotions, graduations, weddings and holidays with food. Concerns about cancer, heart disease and physical health have expanded consciousness of the nutrients within our food, particularly antioxidant vitamins, saturated fats and cholesterol and the merits of consuming less some foods and more of others. In reality however, the manner in which Americans eat have not significantly changed. They are still using coffee to enhance their energy and soft drinks, shakes, pizza, fries, and burger foods to support stress filled, busy lives. People have no time for themselves, leave alone time to prepare food- or take a moment and reflect, until they get sick (World Health Organization, 2009). Apart from the physical results people desire to attain, the food we eat affects us in several spiritual, emotional and mental ways of which a lot of people are not awake to. This essay is on two folds, first, it looks at the effects of food that people consume each day on their appearances, for instance teeth, nails, hair and skin and some of the foods we should consume to make us younger and healthy and foods that make us unhealthy. Secondly, the paper addresses how food affects our psyche because of the affected appearance. As the weather is drastically changes, a number of people would be left with brittle nails, dry skin and lifeless hair. As opposed to turning to cut your hair or resorting to consuming litres of mineral water each passing day, there are certain simple change which you can effect on your diet to enhance your appearance. Nutritionist point out that consuming certain kinds f foods which has the correct minerals and vitamins, implies that one is also feeding his/her nails, hair and skin. When one misses out only a few nutrients each day could pose a spectacular effect on ones appearance (Anderson, Kristin and Phillip, 2007). Vitamin A, which is rich in dairy products and dried apricots, is vital for replenishing the cells of your skin. Fatty acids (the essential ones) found in nuts and oily fish are essential for having healthy hair. When one lacks zinc which can be found eating red mean would result in dry skins and weak nails. Therefore, by simply increasing your daily consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits, you would get rid of skin illness (Marmot and Wilkinson, 2009). According to Merlo Stone & Gold (2009), dry skin is commonly caused by the deficiency of vitamins, E and A, as well as the lack of essential amino acids (fatty acids) in the food we eat. Taking fresh vegetables which has huge volumes of beta carotene that is converted in vitamin A at the liver is good. Beta carotene is an essential antioxidant that is important for skin health, because it destroys and tracks down free radicals circulating within the body, which are detrimental chemicals that the body naturally produces (Clinton, Lorraine, & Cris, 2006). Some of the beta carotene vegetables are carrots; (a very good source), dried apricots and broccoli. And to get sufficient fatty acids that are good for healthy skin, one can eat oily fish such as mackerels and sardines. When one eats foods rich in fatty acids, it will help minimize inflammation or redness that is associated with dermatitis and eczema, but also are good for skin moisturization. When one does not eat fish or is a vegetarian, then he/she can eat fish oil or primrose oil supplements (Harrop & Marlatt, 2010). Acne or Spots: Studies have indicated that eating zinc can assists combat adult acne. This element is essential for renewal of the skin and assists the body to repair itself, thus providing you a new complexion. Some of the foods that are zinc-rich include, nuts, oysters and red meat (Ackard, Fulkerson and Neumark-Sztainer, 2008). On the other hand one can take the recommended zinc supplements. Wrinkles or Line: The deficiency of Vitamins E, C and A as well as zinc and selenium can cause wrinkle. Vitamin is great for building collagen within your body, a protein which is the major skin connective tissue. When one lacks collagen the skin sags. Vitamin C also is an integral antioxidant, which combats damage caused to the skin. A lot of Vitamin C can be found in red peppers, blackcurrants, kiwi fruits and citrus fruits (Laibson, 2007). The other essential antioxidant is vitamin E and when eaten can assist the body prevent scaring and help it heal. It is great from eliminating acne scars and removing wrinkles. Vitamin E helps maintain the RBCs (red blood cells) healthy hence more nutrients and oxygen could be transported to the surface of the skin. Some of the foods which are rich in vitamin E include; olive oil, sunflower seeds and leafy green vegetables such as watercress and spinach (Douglas, 2009). Vitamin E works with Selenium as an antioxidant and helps also in regulating body metabolism. It is vital for assisting the body to properly process food to allow the correct amount of nutrients to get into the skin. Some of the selenium-rich foods include wholegrain bread, Brazil nuts and eggs. When one eats the suggested five portions of vegetables and fruits each day, he/she will be obtaining a range of other essential elements and vitamins (Guilford, 2006). Inadequate intake of iron could have a great effect on the nails and teeth causing them to become bristle and pale in color. Also, there could be less overlying tissue under the teeth and nails. The thinning of hair or hair loss is a major symptom of anemia that results from inadequate iron. The recommended iron sources include lentils, beans, peas, spinach, eggs, bread, mackerel fish as well as fortified cereals. It has been found out that eating of copper could results to early air greyness, since it is required for the development of melanin. The levels of melanin decline slowly due to the natural process of ageing, however eating sufficient foods that are rich in copper such as nuts, shellfish, liver and seeds could assist delay the hair-greyness. A weekly consumption of oily fish foods for example sardines, trout and salmon as well as fresh tuna could keep as younger since they contain omega-3 fats that improve the circulation of blood flow within our body. They also ensure that enough oxygen and nutrients get to our nail and teeth bed and hair follicles promoting healthy growth. When the body is dehydrated our nails and hair are affected. Therefore to curb dry cuticles and hair, take about 8 glasses of water per day and take plenty of vegetables and juicy fruits. Extreme diets and some faddy, for example low detox, calorie, macrobiotic or raw food diets could cause deficiency in protein. This could in turn affect nails and hair, which are composed of keratin. Therefore, protein deficiency could result in fine air which can easily spilt o break and nails which are vulnerable and brittle (Davis and Christopher, 2009). A nutritious well-balanced diet plays a significant function in the health of our teeth. To have healthy teeth, take sufficient foods rich in zinc and calcium as well as lean proteins. Unhealthy teeth are caused to saturated fats. Foods such as whole grains, nuts, yoghurt, salmon, liver, eggs, and apples are good and will improve the health and look of your nails and teeth. Reduce alcohol consumption and take less refines sugars. Excessive consumption of alcohol quickly decays nails and teeth. According to Lakdawalla and Thomas (2012) the disorders in eating for example, binge-eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, and anorexia nervosa, are severe threats to either physiological or physical health. A part from the hurting physical affects which results from the act of starving, purging the body as well as binge-eating, eating unhealthy result to psychosocial, emotional and psychological problem including; Distorted body appearance: A general feature among individuals who has eating disorders, particularly those who have anorexia is the body image disturbance. A lot of people would see an obese or overweight person while viewing their image at the mirror, yet in reality they are seriously thin. This could be extremely demanding and frustrating to an individual’s psychological health due to continuous focus on perfection. However, how much they have lost their weight, they may never to okay with their body (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, n.d. b). Reduced self-esteem: This could both be a contributing element to the establishment of eating disorders as much as it could be a damaging effect. Individuals who have eating disorders could develop a feeling of not being good enough in certain ways for example have spots on their skins and view weight loss as an avenue to success and happiness. The negative self-loathing and self-talk which are presented by eating disorders could rip down an individual’s self esteem, and can even lower his/her self worth (H oek HW, van Hoeken, 2008). According to American Psychiatric Association (2009) social withdrawal is one of the biggest repercussions of eating disorder. Eating disorder requires high degree of secrecy to go on, regrettably, render it hard for eating-disorder individuals to sustain any form of close relationship. Conclusion The health of one’s nails, skin, teeth and hair reflects directly ones general health. So as to acquire strong healthy nails and glowing tresses, it is critical to constantly take a balanced diet of lean proteins, vegetables and fruits discussed above. Any nutritional shortage would be manifested through nails and hair. Nutritional deficiencies in the foods we eat cause spoon-like nail, hair loss brittleness, splitting, breaking and thinning. When the above symptoms show up, it is a clear manifestation of nutritional deficiencies and malnourishment in our body. Strong nails and glossy hair are usually attractive, and so is attaining a healthy weight by way of dieting. Regrettably, diets normally affect negatively nails and hair because of stern restriction of food in the program. Since nails and hair represent directly the general health situation of someone, a diet that has a severe nutrient deficiencies and food restrictions subsequently causes malnourished nails, hair and skin. Although it is possible for someone to diet and have healthy nails, skin and hair, most of them choose crash diet or fad to attain faster results as opposed to going for gradual weight loss through a nutrient-rich well balanced diet. In short poor lack of sufficient nutrients and minerals in the foods we eat causes unhealthy nails, teeth, hair and skin References Anderson., P, Kristin., B, and Phillip, B. (2007) Maternal Employment and Overweight Children, Journal of Health Economics, 22:477-504. Davis, B, and Christopher, C. (2009). Proximity of Fast-Food Restaurants to Schools and Adolescent Obesity. American Journal of Public Health 99. 3: 1-6. Clinton, B, Lorraine, F & Cris, H (2006) . Researching into Teaching Methods. Kogan Page Limited. 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Addictive Behaviors, 35, 392– 398. Read More