Kaori Ohya writes:
I think there are three matters about Mr Tanaka. First he mistakes how
to handle information. Second what he decided to do for his health is
practically wrong. Finally he don't understand the true situation
about his family's history and his own heredity with regard to
susceptibility to illness.
The matters Mr Tanaka seems to have are the following: 1) He is very
confused about many different information he has been reading about
protein and minerals and he doesn't understand what would be the RDA
(recommended daily amounts) of vitamins and minerals for a man his
age. 2) He doesn't have time to eat breakfast most mornings, and he
also finds he needs to intake fast food like hamburgers, cheeseburgers
or udon at lunch and dinner. 3) He relies on vitamin supplements which
he takes with four or five cups of coffee in the morning and colas in
the afternoon. 4) He really hates most vegetables. Although he knows
he should be eating foods that are rich in fiber, he urges that he
gets fibers from eating udon and rice. 5) He has been feeling lots of
pressure at work lately and he finds it hard to relax even after work.
6) He does not like to exercise. He is so busy that he has only about
a half an hour once a week, and yet he feels this is enough to keep
him from becoming fat. 7) Both his grandfather and father have
diabetes. And his mother is currently ill with a critical heart
condition. 8) Mr Tanaka's LDL level is measured at 172. I can't help
saying that's too serious. He needs expert counselling to get correct
knowledge about his health.
He firstly has to realize his health condition: his LDL level is
measured at 172, as a result of his daily habits which he has
believed. And we have to start improving his lifestyle.
He had better eat breakfast every morning. Because we consume most of
energy getting from dinner during we sleep, we need to get new energy
to start new day.
Second, we have to eat lunch and dinner properly. Hamburgers,
cheeseburgers and udon are not well balanced foods. In this way, he
intakes more fats. Fats are an important part of total nutrition
because they are the most concentrated form of energy. Each gram of
fat provides nine calories, while the same amount of protein or
carbohydrate provides only four calories. One tablespoon of butter or
margarine has approximately 123 calories. One tablespoon of sugar has
only about 45 calories. Fats carry certain vitamins, such as A and D.
Also, some fat is needed in the diet for proper growth and for the
maintenance of healthy skin.
Third, cholesterol is found only in animal products. Plant foods
(fruits, vegetables, and grains) have no cholesterol unless animal
fats are added in preparation or seasoning. So he had better eat
vegetables more and more.
One example of well balanced diet is 1 tablespoon of fats ,oils and
sweets, 2-3 ounces of cooked lean meat, poultry, or fish; 1 egg; 1/2
cup cooked beans; 2 tablespoons seeds and nuts, 1 cup of milk or
yogurt, 1-1/2 ounces of cheese, 1 medium apple, banana, or orange; 1
melon wedge; 1/2 cup of chopped fruit or berries; 3/4 cup fruit juice,
1 cup raw leafy greens; 1/2 cup other vegetables chopped; 3/4 cup
vegetable juice. 1 slice of bread; 1 ounce of ready-to-eat cereal; 1/2
cup cooked cereal, rice or pasta. Furthermore there are some bacteria
in our gut. If we take vitamins only from supplements, bacteria can't
get their foods and they don't work for us.
Many foods contain dietary fiber (the part of food that resists
digestion by the body). Eating foods that are high in fiber can help
relieve some problems with constipation, hemorrhoids, diverticulosis
and irritable bowel syndrome. Dietary fiber may help lower your
cholesterol. It may also help prevent heart disease, diabetes and
certain types of cancer. He might try the following ideas to increase
the fiber in his diet. Eat at least five servings of fruits and
vegetables each day.
Fourth, he said that he don't like exercise and has no time for
exercise. Surely, it's essential to lower his LDL. Exercises can also
make us refreshed, while he seems to feel that exercises are only for
keeping weight down. So I think it's better for him to get rid of
stress by exercise. If he has no time, for example, I will suggest
that he wake up a little early, and get off the train at the station
one or two before his usual stop, and walk to his office from there.
Then he has not to forget trying to enjoy it.
His family's heredity of illness is also severe. I have to explain to
him how deeply this concerns him. I will call his attention to it, and
advise him to have an examination regularly. Finally I will tell him
to ask me anything about meals or health, not to interpret by himself.
I think that it's the most terrible situation that people take some
important medical information from developed systems and act by
themselves. Isn't it important for us to take care about information?
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