Nutrition and Malnutrition

Nutrients

Air, water and food are the essential nutrients that we must ingest to sustain ourselves. Food provides us with fuel for the general energy which supports all of our life processes. Air provides the oxygen to burn the fuel. Water provides the solution in which these marvelous reactions occur.

Starvation is an insufficient intake of these essential nutrients and calories. Without enough air we can live for only a few minutes; without water, for up to a few days; without food, a variable length of time measured in days and weeks.

Malnutrition is insufficient quality of essential nutrients in the presence of adequate calories. Malnutrition is much more common than starvation but far less obvious. It results from pollution of air, water and food as well as from food processing. Malnutrition is a common factor in many illnesses and problems, but is often overlooked because of its subtlety. While starvation results in loss of body weight, malnutrition may even result in weight gain.

In addition to fuel for general energy, we also need air, water and food for healing, self-defence, sanitation, growth and development; for routine maintainance of our structures and machinery; and for specific kinds of power and regulation.

The Case of the Malnourished Car

Once there was a car whose driver provided a continuous supply of gasoline for fuel, without ever providing any other maintenance. After a while, many problems developed. Without fresh oil periodically, the engine was damaged. Without lubrication, bearings and joints were damaged. Without tuneups, the car ran roughly and inefficiently. A clogged air filter meant inefficient burning of fuel. The tires lost air and sagged. One problem followed another. Without maintenance and preventive care, this poor car was always sick.

Some of the problems were merely annoying, requiring visits to a service station. Others were more serious and costly and could only be corrected by an authorized dealer. And some were dangerous to the life of the car, its driver and occupants, and innocent people.

"Cars cannot live on fuel alone"
The Case of the Malnourished Driver

Once there was a body whose driver provided an endless supply of non-nutritious food for fuel. But this food lacked essential nutrients for routine repair and maintenance. After a while, many problems developed. The driver's brain and mind functioned poorly. Concentration, mood, energy levels and behavior all fluctuated. The driver experienced many physical problems including digestive difficulties, joint pain, headaches, backaches, infections and an involuntary desire for alcohol and drugs.

Some of these problems were minor and came and went on their own, while others required visits to a doctor. Others were more serious and costly and could only be treated at a hospital. Because of these problems, this driver was especially menacing when driving a car. Without high quality nutrition, this driver was chronically sick and dangerous to self and others.

"People cannot live on fuel alone"
Car and Driver/ Body and Mind

Neither cars and drivers nor bodies and minds can function safely and optimally on fuel alone. Cars need essential maintenance in addition to fuel. Unlike cars, people are able to perform their own routine maintenance, provided they give themselves adequate supplies in form of optimal nutrition.