Why is healthy eating the key to longevity?

The answer seems obvious, but think a little before answering. Do you really know the benefits of a healthy diet ? More than just helping you lose weight, it has a direct relationship with vitality and longevity . That's why eating well is one of the most important things in life and, although it should start early, it's never too late to adopt this and other healthy habits.

So, check out the main advantages of investing in a balanced diet and check out some tips for putting it into practice. Also, discover the benefits of orthomolecular therapy for those seeking even healthier results.

How does nutrition relate to the health of the entire body?

The quality and quantity of food you eat have a direct relationship with your body’s health — and not just whether you’re fat or thin. Other important variables in this equation are exercising regularly, getting enough sleep , and taking care of your mental health .

The most interesting thing is that the benefits of a balanced lifestyle extend beyond the individual's existence, positively impacting their descendants. The way in which changes in the functioning of genes that occur throughout life are passed on to children is explained by epigenetics .

Therefore, parents with chronic diseases (obesity, diabetes, hypertension, etc.) who adopt a healthy diet, exercise and avoid stress have a greater chance of interrupting this inheritance. Those with poor eating habits, sedentary lifestyles and an unruly lifestyle, however, influence their children negatively.

What are the benefits of a good diet for vitality and longevity?

Adequate nutrient intake benefits the digestive and immune systems , as well as modulating inflammatory and degenerative processes , which are linked to vitality and longevity. Among the habits and dietary choices that enable improved health, the following stand out:

• energy restriction (through calorie control, especially from ultra-processed products);
• the consumption of antioxidant foods, such as dark green vegetables, oily fish and oil-rich fruits.

Benefits of healthy eating

The obesity epidemic we are experiencing is the result of changes in human eating patterns, which have replaced real food (made up of vegetables, cereals and meat) with ultra-processed products (full of sodium, sugar and low-quality saturated fats).

This intake of bad fats, in turn, alters the hypothalamus, which is the area of ​​the brain linked to satiety. As a result, neurons stop regulating hunger.

Healthy eating, on the other hand, combats this effect and increases satiety , naturally helping with weight loss. Thanks to good fats, among other elements.

How can you choose healthier foods on a daily basis?

Among the tips for putting healthy eating into practice, the following stand out:

• use pink salt in moderate amounts;
• ingest natural fats from food at will;
• avoid consuming processed foods, such as canned foods, meats with added salt and preservatives, canned fish, white flour bread, etc.;
• avoid, as much as possible, ultra-processed products , such as stuffed biscuits, snacks (from packets), instant noodles, sugary cereals, sweets in general, soft drinks, juice boxes and dairy drinks;
• do not replace main meals (especially lunch) with snacks.

How can functional medicine help?

Functional medicine is a medical practice focused on treating the patient and not the disease. Based on this concept, it seeks to evaluate the patient's health in a comprehensive manner, both physically and mentally, through anamnesis and clinical and laboratory tests. All of this is focused on preventing and controlling diseases that may arise in the future.

The practice is based on four pillars:

• healthy eating;
• physical exercise;
• quality sleep and
• mental health balance.

It is not uncommon for the doctor to recommend consultation with other specialists , such as nutritionists, psychologists, physical educators and massage therapists, for example. Among the complementary therapies recommended by the specialist are acupuncture, meditation and herbal medicine. This process is orchestrated by the doctor who, with his or her comprehensive view of the patient, can evaluate the benefits brought by each specialist and therapy.

Healthy eating plays a leading role in treatment, as it is directly related to well-being when exercising, sleeping and even paying attention to mental health. In this area of ​​nutritional health, the doctor uses tests to assess which nutrients are lacking or in excess in the body, as well as whether there are toxic elements present. By correcting these deviations, the doctor restores metabolic and energy balance , which also impacts weight loss .

This nutrient adjustment is done through:

• changes in diet, which should be rich in essential nutrients, that is, with a personalized diet , full of fresh, whole and, if possible, organic ingredients;
• some supplements , such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, among others, if the patient needs them.

In addition to providing nutrition, these functional foods and supplements:

• combat free radicals (linked to aging);
• strengthen immunity and
• speed up metabolism.

Therefore, to optimize the benefits of healthy eating, it is important to conduct a thorough investigation of your health history, as well as your lifestyle habits. The sooner you become aware of this need, the greater the benefits — including for future generations!