Nutritional information for existing diseases
A change in diet is of great importance in cases of high blood pressure. A targeted diet can often prevent or at least delay the intake of medication.As a general rule, if hypertension is known to occur, one should not consume more than four to six grams of salt per day. A high-salt diet can raise blood pressure very quickly and this can be avoided.
Potassium is an antagonist of sodium, which controls the water balance. If the body has enough potassium, this leads to increased sodium excretion and blood pressure does not rise for no reason. Potassium is found in spinach, potatoes, kale, avocados, nuts and bananas.
In case of high blood pressure, it is recommended to take in sufficient unsaturated fatty acids. Fish and olive oil are sources of high-quality omega-3 fatty acids. These have a positive effect on blood pressure and blood vessels.
Tuna, herring, salmon, mackerel and sardines contain unsaturated fatty acids in large quantities. In addition, fruit and vegetables are healthy and are recommended for patients with high blood pressure because of their valuable minerals. In addition, it is helpful to lose excess weight and to avoid alcohol to a large extent.
Certain foods are associated with skin impurities and the clinical picture of acne. A healthy, balanced diet and abstaining from certain foods can have a positive effect on the appearance of the skin. Particularly bad foods for people with acne are red meat, dairy products, sugar, white flour, convenience foods, fast food, soft drinks, salted nuts and chocolate.
Raw vegetables, fish and juices such as carrot juice are positive for the skin. In addition, one should drink at least 2 liters of liquid a day to flush toxins out of the body. Mineral water and unsweetened teas are best suited.
The term irritable bowel describes a functional disorder of the digestive tract. The consumption of certain foods often causes pain and digestive problems. Irritable bowel syndrome sufferers often notice very clearly which foods they can and cannot tolerate.
A nutrition diary/symptom diary can help to find out which foods cause discomfort. It is generally helpful to eat small meals. You should eat slowly and chew deliberately.
It is important that those affected drink enough fluids and reduce alcohol, coffee and black tea as much as possible. Mild foods are more suitable for people with irritable bowel syndrome than highly seasoned, salty, spicy, sweet or fatty foods. Basically, foods rich in fiber are recommended, which promote digestion and accelerate the intestinal passage.
These include potatoes, carrots, spinach, strawberries, bananas and sour milk products such as kefir, natural yoghurt and buttermilk. The widespread disease gout is closely related to an unbalanced, meat-based diet and alcohol consumption. A healthy diet can alleviate the symptoms and positively influence the course of the disease.
Uric acid is a metabolic product that is the main cause of gout. People affected by gout have an increased uric acid level in the blood. Animal food leads to an increased formation of uric acid in the body.
Alcohol in turn inhibits the excretion of uric acid via the kidneys. According to this, excessive alcohol consumption should be avoided with gout. Beer in particular has a negative effect on the disease.
With gout, foods containing purine should be avoided. Purines are broken down to uric acid during digestion in the body. If purines are consumed in large quantities, the uric acid level rises and crystals are deposited in joints where they cause pain.
Foods containing purines are mainly animal products such as poultry, pork and goose meat and milk, butter, cheese, yoghurt and eggs. It is recommended to eat animal products in smaller quantities and to consume food that is effective against gout in larger quantities. Carrots, tomatoes, celery, onions, strawberries, plums and caranberries are effective against gout.
A healthy diet for gout requires a lot of drinking, preferably two to three liters of water and herbal teas a day. A high proportion of fat in the food delays the absorption of carbohydrates and makes you fat in the long term. If you lose weight, the blood sugar level in the body often improves.
Basically, vegetable fats with unsaturated fatty acids are healthier and protect the blood vessels from calcification (arteriosclerosis). Diabetics should take several times insatiated fatty acids as in fish, Avocados, sunflower, Soja or Distelöl and simply insatiated fatty acids e.g. from olive or rapeseed oil to itself. Fats of animal origin such as bacon, milk fat, butter and pork fat should be reduced significantly.Besides diabetics may not consume too much protein.
In the central European countries we consume far too much fat and protein. A high protein intake burdens the kidneys and is therefore harmful for diabetics. The daily protein intake should therefore be in the lower range of the recommended values.
Carbohydrates directly influence the blood sugar level. For diabetics, carbohydrates should be more than half of the diet. Vegetables, legumes, fruit and cereal products are good for this.
Diabetics who already inject insulin must calculate their carbohydrates. For this purpose there is the auxiliary quantity bread unit (BE). 1 BE means 10 – 12 grams of carbohydrates.
There are corresponding tables which make the calculation easier. Dietary fibres are very suitable for diabetics, because they are satiated for a long time and flow slowly into the blood. Basically, foods with a low glycemic index such as legumes, oats and pasta are recommended.
The glycemic index refers to the effect of the food on the blood sugar level. In addition, people with diabetes should be careful about alcohol intake. A glass of wine or beer occasionally seems harmless.
However, if you are taking insulin or other medication, alcohol is best eaten together with a carbohydrate-containing snack. The reason is that alcohol can cause hypoglycemia due to its effects on the metabolism. In summary, a varied wholefood diet is very suitable for people with diabetes.
Alcohol should only be drunk in moderation and consciously, while at least 2 liters of water should be consumed daily. Diabetics should lose excess weight and not consume too much fat with their food. Physical activity also has positive effects on the course of diabetes. It is best to exercise for at least half an hour every day. Further information on this can be found at: Nutritional recommendations for diabetes mellitus
