HEALTH TALK

WELL-BEING

Well being can be simply defined as being physically and mentally fit and healthy. A lot of factors contribute to this state of wholeness. Nutrition and exercise are major factors among others such as weight balance, general body check-ups, etc. Women in Christ are not exempted from a need to be and feel healthy. Understanding the importance of health will also make us to be conscious of certain things and be efficient home keepers.

NUTRITION
Nutrition is the supply of materials (food) required by organisms and cells to stay alive. Carbohydrates supply between 50%-60% of the energy required for humans but they are not only the important elements needed by the body. Other nutrition elements are lipid, protein, vitamins, minerals and water. A well-balanced diet should contain adequate amounts of protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrate and water.

 The Institute of Medicine recommends that adults seeking a well-balanced nutrition get 45% to 65% of their calories from carbohydrate, 20% to 35% of their calories from fat, and 10% to 25% of their calories from protein.

Carbohydrates are grouped into two major categories: Simple carbohydrates such as glucose and fructose found in fruits, berries, honey, etc. and the complex carbohydrates which are found in whole grains, and many plant-based foods.
●Minerals: People whose intake of food is varied and well thought out, with a well balanced diet will in most cases obtain all their minerals from what they eat. Potassium, Chloride, Sodium, Calcium, and Iodine, are among the key minerals essential for human.
●Vitamins: Eating a well-balanced diet which should typically include fruits and vegetables provides an individual’s vitamin requirements. Our bodies cannot synthesize (produce) enough or any of it. So we have to obtain it from our food
●Protein: Protein is found in every cell, muscle and tissue of our body and is also present in many of the foods that we eat. We can easily find it in milk, egg, beef etc.
●Water: The major sources of water for the body are fluid intake, food intake, and oxidation of foodstuffs by the body. Water is lost in urine, feces, perspiration, and expired air and should be made up for.
●Lipid: Lipid includes molecules such as cholesterol and triglyceride. These are obtained from certain oils and fat and should be taken with a lot of professional counsel.

All of these elements provide the major energy for us, enhance our immunity, promote the human body’s metabolism and strengthen our immune system. Basically, they keep our body going.
         
EXERCISE
According to the Online Dictionary, exercise is a body or mental exertion, especially for the sake of training or improvement of health. Also, according to the American Heart Association, exercise can be defined as a subset of physical activity that is planned, structured, repetitive and purposeful in the sense that improvement or maintenance of physical fitness is the objective. There are several forms and kinds of exercise.
The 3 major kinds of Exercise are:
1.) Aerobic exercise: It overloads the heart and lungs by making them to work harder than at rest. Examples are aerobic dance, swimming, etc.
2.) Anaerobic exercise: They are short-lasting, high intensity activities where the body demand for oxygen exceeds the oxygen supply available”. Examples are heavy weight-lifting, running, intense biking, etc. The main purpose is to build power and strengthen the muscles.
3.) Agility training: It is any activity that has to do with body balance and co-ordination. Examples are figure runs, ladder drills, cross over etc.
These can further be divided into:
- Strength or Resistance exercises
- Flexibility exercises
- Balance exercises
- Cardiovascular exercises
All these also varies on the level of intensity. They can be light, moderate or vigorous.

Benefits of exercise
- It strengthens the body’s different muscles
- Reduces high blood pressure and improves the circulation of the blood
- Improves the quality of sleep
- Improves mental health issues
- Reduces the risk of heart diseases and cardiovascular problems, cancer, diabetes and stroke
- Reduces the risk of osteoporosis
- Reduces obesity and
- Improves the mood and helps you to live longer

As daughters of Zion, lots of things run through our mind: our career, partners and spouses, and family among others. Our maker put all these in our lives to make us healthier on daily basis and not otherwise. Among all these therefore, be reminded that according to 3 John2, He delights in us living healthy that he might be glorified. He therefore gives us wisdom for good living. Live well and stay blessed.

-Bunmi Olowe Odunayo