Malnutrition: a 21

st
Century Enemy
The pleasure induced through taste. The impetus that invites sleep. The intimate exchange shared
among friendly company. There are many compulsory reasons for the ubiquitous act of eating, but the
primary incentive is always constant: to receive energy. Food is the organic fuel that powers depleted
batteries the biological batteries that drive the human body. Armed with this realiation, it becomes
vital that the foods we eat do not in fact deplete us themselves, causing malnutrition.
!alnutrition, or lac" of sufficient nutrition, is a debilitating side#effect of the exponential climb in the
consumption of processed foods worldwide. This condition has become the ma$or agent behind myriad
diseases surfacing throughout industrialied and developing nations today. Fortunately, it is a wave that
can be dissuaded and sedated, by primarily parta"ing in simple meals with a composition
complementary, rather than oppositional, to basic biological needs.
%f we could as" our digestive systems what they wanted, they might reply with a simple &less please'.
!ore food does not always equal more protein, more vitamins, or more minerals. This must be
accepted if we are to ever effectively address this burgeoning global issue, which has opened its doors
in countries north, south, east and west. %n contrast, starvation is the process a body that is deprived of
all forms of nourishment undergoes. A starving system will wor" from its reserve sources until they(ve
been spent, at which time it will literally begin consuming itself.
)espite colloquial claims of the latter, malnutrition is experienced far more frequently. *hen a body
suffers from malnutrition, it isn(t able to receive adequate nourishment from what it consumes. %n brief,
the internal ma"eup of the body is incompatible with what is digested, resulting in a low rate of
assimilation. %n such instances, the body is laboring in vain for slim returns.
+nderstanding this biological process is critical in order to distinguish foods that promote life from
those that don(t. %t is for this reason that water is widely understood to be the superior beverage for the
body, as it also pervades the internal structure, allowing for the highest rate of assimilation. ,ubstances
that are rich in life value increase energy. Those that are deficient in value tend to subtract energy from
the body once digestion is attempted.
-ife values are basic components found in all organic matter that are required for the most basic of
cellular functions. They include hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, nitrogen and other elements. .atural
sunlight, water, clean air, plants and their biological constituents fruits, flowers and herbs all
provide the vitamins, or vital minerals, needed to feed a fully functional life. !any physiological and
psychological dysfunctions and deviations can be directly attributed to a malnourished body/ a body
forced to operate for an extended period of time, while deprived of one or more of its core components.
0eyond the physical detriments of living with diabetes, osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases, there
is the increased susceptibility to addictions, fatigue, and various forms of depression to consider. !any
nutrient#deficient foods cause a response in the body not unli"e a powerful narcotic or synthetic
stimulant. Foods that encourage stability and longevity generally don(t exhibit this tendency to cause
strong cravings, unless they are rich in a mineral the body is in desperate need of.
Though one may en$oy the natural taste of drin"ing water, or the fresh $uice released with each bite into
a ripe orange, it(s not the "ind of sensation that places upon the mind an urgent demand to be repeated.
,uch demands occur regardless of time, circumstance and actual need, and carry consequences when
ignored. *hile displaying a less pronounced effect on the psyche, some foods that are harmful cause
the body to see" deep sleep shortly after eating. This may be an indication that the body is going to
have difficulty digesting the meal effectively, to the extent that it must shut down temporarily in order
to address the issue. %s it possible that the body in this instance is attempting to expressly communicate
the end result of overindulgence in such meals1
2enturies ago, before the proliferation of industrialiation, most citiens of the world had rampant
violence from their neighbors and unidentified diseases to blame for the most frequent losses of life.
For the ma$ority of our recent and distant ancestors, death commonly came at the hands of an outside
agent. %n contemporary times the primary culprit is our own diet, sentencing many of us to a premature
passing, while surrounded with countless medical and technological advances that reduce excuses as to
why most of the population is not en$oying longer, healthier, and happier lives. There is a solution, and
it(s explicitly simple.
0y simplifying what we eat with smaller portions, more whole foods, and far less starches, complex
carbohydrates, and artificial products we can optimie the percentage of active nutrients the body
receives. 3ust as too much exercise can strain and in$ure the muscles, improper eating is more harmful
than beneficial. %ncorporating more water and vegetables alone will produce impressive results for any
meal plan. *hile ac"nowledging the need to inta"e high quality food and drin", it is also imperative to
consider other social factors that play a role in shaping dietary choices.
*ith the prominence of the internet, A%, cellular phones and electronic devices of all "inds, one could
claim comfort has become more characteristic of a typical day than traditional labor. .owadays, it(s
conceivable for someone to put in 4 hours at the $ob, have a long#distance tal" for hours at a time, and
order a pia all without stepping outside the front door, or pic"ing up a phone. Texting has become
more common to some young urbanites than boo"s, and entire dinners can be purchased from a grocery
freeer and prepared within minutes using a microwave. These are all examples of convenience, and
they all influence our eating habits.
%n theory, the purpose of convenience is to allow for more free time, thus improving overall living
standards. %n reality, by lowering our level of active engagement, the opposite often occurs. !any feel
as if there(s never enough time to get anything done, despite having more. This impacts our stomachs
when we choose ta"eout over home#coo"ed dinners, or effortlessly grab a snac" off the shelf, without
considering effects on our mood and vitality.
%ncreasing numbers of young people are frequently being diagnosed with various mental deficiencies.
+nfortunately, very little attention is given to the foods and beverages they consume, which in many
cases are synthetic, low in fiber, and riddled with processed sugars. These same foods tend to be very
easy to swallow, but hard to digest. The body isn(t designed to process what it doesn(t recognie.
5ven though these consumables are composed of ingredients that have an organic origin, they(ve been
altered and combined and re#combined so many times that the body doesn(t "now what they are
anymore. To put this in perspective: picture your mother. .ow picture your mother after she(s had
plastic surgery to ta"e on the features of a thirty#something man. %f you passed her on the street, would
you be more li"ely to stop and say hi, or stare aw"wardly at an apparent stranger1
2learly, there is an entire framewor" of factors influencing the choices that cause malnutrition. *ater,
whole fruits, fresh vegetables, herbs, whole grains, nuts and seeds: these are foods that supply the
building bloc"s of life. These are foods that in their natural state supply the nutrients any human body
can recognie and use instantly. 6f course, transforming one(s dietary choices isn(t always as simple as
pressing a hot#"ey. *hen brea"ing away from eating products that are "nown to be less than beneficial
proves difficult, go slowly. 0egin by mixing new additions with old favorites 7sesame seed spaghetti8,
or increase the portions for nutritious foods that are familiar 7extra broccoli and peas alongside stea"
and mashed potatoes8. 0y introducing more of what(s healthy in increments, the urge to indulge in
empty foods will gradually diminish.
As more members of the global community become exposed to imported crops and foreign foodstuffs,
proper nutrition must be enforced at every stage of economic and personal development. !alnutrition
is a relatively recent consequence of our unprecedented progression as a species. )espite a rising
prevalence, it is a problem that every nation on 5arth is adequately equipped to counter. +shering in a
greater degree of health for all starts with the conscious undoing of unproductive behavior patterns,
beginning with the very foods in our fridges and on our plates.
9 :;<= >obert ?aul 2hatman