FAQ:
About Optimal Health:
Q: What are the main concepts of "Optimal Health?"
A: Optimal health can be measured in three ways:
- Performance - when you are physically and mentally performing at an optimal level
- Absence of ill-health - the lack of disease and its symptoms
- Longevity - living a long, healthy lifespan
- A consistent and high level of energy
- Emotional balance and a sharp mind
- A desire to maintain physical fitness with
a direct awareness of:
- What suits your body
- What enhances your health
- Your needs at any given moment
Q: Is health a static state?
A: Health is not a static state, but rather, a lifelong journey of learning and discovery of optimal health. You should strive toward having optimal nutrition, regular exercise, a right living environment, and being open-minded to change.
Q: What nutrients are essential to my health?
A: The essential nutrients can be split into two categories, macronutrients and micronutrients:
- Macronutrients are nutrients that we consume in large quantities in our food. They regulate our bodies and give us energy throughout the day. There are three kinds of macronutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
- Micronutrients are nutrients we need to consume externally in small quantities to regulate our bodies. Micronutrients can be split into two groups: minerals and vitamins.
Q: Why is nutrition balance important?
A: No single food contains all of the essential nutrients your body needs to be healthy and function effectively. A healthy diet requires good eating habits and a variety of foods consumed.
Q: What are nutritional requirements, and why do they vary from person to person?
A: The amount of nutrients you need to be healthy is called your nutritional requirement. Your nutritional requirement is unique to you, and is affected by various factors such as your gender, age, environment, and eating habits (for example, women need more iron than men do). In addition, people's bodies absorb and utilize nutrients at different levels of efficiency, and so require different amounts of nutrients (for example, poor vitamin B12 absorption is common in the elderly, so they would require more).
Q: What is a personal nutrition plan?
A: A personal nutrition plan is not just a plan, but a way of life. It means you need to take responsibility for your actions and keep track of what you eat. Don't expect instant results; vitamins and minerals are not miracle drugs that instantly improve your health. Most people experience a definite improvement within three months. Your health should continue to improve as you follow the right plan for you!
Q: Can what I eat affect my looks?
A: Yes, what you eat has a profound effect on your outward appearance; for example, your vitamin c intake is directly related to collagen production (collagen is used in cosmetic surgery to make your skin look younger and firmer--but we recommend you to stay beautiful without surgery!) Nutrition is fundamentally involved in every stage of skin, hair, and nail (and more!) health. An ideal diet should provide adequate quantities of all the nutrients that keep you looking fresh and beautiful.
Q: How do you boost your immunity?
A: Your immune system's strength is dependent on an optimal intake of vitamins and minerals. A lack of the vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B9, B12, C, and E suppresses immunity, as do iron, zinc, magnesium, and selenium. A combination of these nutrients at even modest levels can effectively boost your immunity.