< previous page | page_154 | next page >
Page 154
| The key to preventing disease is taking care of yourself. That means eating a wide assortment of the foods recommended in this book, as well as other foods rich in nutrients and fiber and low in saturated fat and empty calories. It also means limiting your alcohol intake, avoiding other drugs (including nicotine), and maintaining a healthy weight and active lifestyle. All pretty simple stuff. |
| Unfortunately, there's nothing simple about diseaseits causes are complex and still largely unknown. Although eating smart is essential for good health, it doesn't guarantee good health. |
| If you have a medical condition or recurrent health problem, dietary changes may lessen or prevent its recurrence. But food is not a cure-all. If you are being treated for a specific medical problem, don't make any changes in your treatment plan without consulting your health practitioner. |
| THE KEYS |
| Disease and diet: how what you eat determines the way you feel. Browse an alphabet of common ailments: their causes, symptoms, and treatment. For each ailment, learn the nutrients you need, and why. There are specific foods to prevent and treat each disease. |
| An A-to-Z of Ailments |
| The following are nutritional recommendations for a variety of ailments, from minor to major. |
| Acne |
| A common skin disorder among teenagers, acne also plagues some adults, particularly those with oily skin. Its cause is not completely understood, but in adolescence it is probably linked to hormonal changes that affect the skin's oil glands and ducts, which produce sebum, a skin lubricant. |
< previous page | page_154 | next page >