Nutrition Essays on Stress
Stress is a complex mental condition that affects many people globally. The tolerance levels of stress differ from one person to another. Coordinated responses such as physiological body changes, behavior alterations, multiple secretion of hormones as well as automatic body functioning are as a result of exposing your body to the stressors. Taking a balanced diet is the most effective natural method of coping up with stress (Singh 1). A powerful nutritious diet reduces stress in a number of ways including improving the functioning of your brains, improving the immune system, enhancing the blood circulation, lowering the blood pressure, and reducing piling up of toxins in the body. Certain nutrients play significant role in reducing adrenalin, cortisol levels, and stress chemicals that are responsible for activating the fight and flight reaction. These nutrients include proteins, selenium, complex carbohydrates, magnesium, Vitamins A and B.
Subject Matter of the Article
The article highlights the role played by various nutrients in reducing stress. It highlights the role of nutritious foods in overcoming stress. The author argues that stress comprises of various complex and diverse components that triggers the brain to respond. These components are known as stressors or conditions perceived to imperil the survival of human beings (Singh 3). The author groups the stressors into three fundamental categories; the psychological stressors that the author bases on the learned response to threats of imminent adverse situations, stressors consisting of physical stimulus and powerful psychological components, and those stressors challenging the cardiovascular homeostasis. The author demonstrates that stress response is often an adaptive phenomenon such that when the level of stress is relatively low, the body remains in some state of homeostasis. During this time, the body systems operates normally in order to maintain equilibrium. Stressors works by triggering psychological reaction. The body then attempts to restore homeostasis through an adaptive mechanism.
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study is to educate the general public on the benefits of a balanced diet in reducing the adverse effects of stress. The author links stress with various medical problems including diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular illnesses. In order to overcome these diseases, the author proposes the type of foods and the amount that individuals need to consume in order to fight stress (Singh 2). Since stress creates heavy psychological needs, more oxygen, blood circulation, more energy, and consequently more metabolism cofactors are necessary. The author argues that stress influences both the quantity and choice food that a person needs to consume. Ironically, the author states that stressed people need more nutritious diet but they often consume the comfort foods such as the fatty and sugary foods. Since these kinds of foods lack the necessary nutrients, taking them creates nutrient depletion situation in the body that further complicates metabolism. The author encourages intake of proteins, selenium, complex carbohydrates, magnesium, Vitamins A and B in order to maintain homeostasis.
Method of Study and Author’s Conclusion
The author applies comparative study approach in his article. He first outlines how unhealthy feeding habits leads to increased stress levels in the body followed by other health problems in the future. The author then highlights and recommends certain nutritious foods that play a fundamental role in stress management. The comparative study method succeeds in persuading the readers easily as it first highlights the dangers of unbalanced diet (Singh 5). The author concludes the article by emphasizing that stress is a common threat to all although the stress levels may differ depending on whether the stressor is internal or external, imagined or real. He insinuates that the food that people consume in their daily lives can be used in reducing or overcoming the stress effects on their bodies. The author concludes by suggesting that one of the ingredients to a healthy life, and probably the most significant one is having a balanced and nutritious eating plan.
Lessons from the article and the Most Interesting Part
The article is lengthy, detailed and informative in nature. It has taught me the importance of a well-balanced diet in overcoming stress. Furthermore, it has taught me the specific foods that I should run for every time I am having stress. Additionally, the article acts as a stern warning against intake of comfort foods such as the sugary and fatty ones especially in times of stress. Interestingly, I found out that stress happens to everyone at some point in life (Singh 4). In fact, the author states that most defiantly, it will happen more than once. Most interesting, the author states that we have a choice of either letting our bodies suffer from stress effects or we may choose to act on it by taking the recommended foods. Furthermore, I also find it interesting that in order to keep your mind and body healthy, you should know that nutrition plays a central role is managing stress.
Questions from the Article
After reading the article, a few questions remain unanswered (Singh 5). For instance, does it mean it is healthy to have a moderate level of stress? Since the author states that stress only becomes problematic when it is severe or chronic? Under what circumstances does stress become positive motivation to individuals? Why do some people have high stress tolerance compared to others?
Singh, Karuna. “Nutrient and Stress Management.” Journal of Nutrition & Food Sciences. 6.4 (2016). Print. Retrieved from http://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/nutrient-and-stress-management-2155-9600-1000528.pdf