Is the Food Good for Me and the Planet?

2021 ◽  
pp. 331-360
Author(s):  
Osama M. Rajkhan
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Food Policy ◽  
Holistic Health ◽  
Behavioral Changes ◽  
Mindful Eating ◽  
Planetary Health ◽  
Metabolic Dysregulation ◽  
Hunting And Gathering ◽  
Good For ◽  
Optimize Health

Securing food has been a challenge ever since hunting and gathering. We have come a long way since. But from running after food to storing it in refrigerators, we compromised our health and that of the planet, and as a result, our immune system barely keeps up with disease. Is the available food good for us and the planet? From genes and trees to ecosystems and the biosphere, food disrupts many levels of life's organization; most covid patients suffered metabolic dysregulation that may have precipitated their illness or death. A function of the pandemic, the crisis prompted many to look for better lifestyles to optimize health, which requires more than vaccines, and now we have an opportunity to address it as a consumer concern is being expressed with behavioral changes like mindful eating, observed mostly amongst digital millennials. This chapter will discuss these issues from the perspective of holistic and planetary health. The chapter suggests a framework for integrating holistic health in food policy to reduce PM2.5CO2 and improve planetary health.

Neuroimmunology: Behavioral Effects

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gretchen N. Neigh ◽  
Mandakh Bekhbat ◽  
Sydney A. Rowson
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Social Withdrawal ◽  
Sickness Behavior ◽  
Behavioral Changes ◽  
Neural Pathways ◽  
Behavioral Alterations ◽  
Psychosocial Approaches ◽  
Sleep Alterations ◽  
Neuroimmune Activation

Bidirectional interactions between the immune system and central nervous system have been acknowledged for centuries. Over the past 100 years, pioneering studies in both animal models and humans have delineated the behavioral consequences of neuroimmune activation, including the different facets of sickness behavior. Rodent studies have uncovered multiple neural pathways and mechanisms that mediate anorexia, fever, sleep alterations, and social withdrawal following immune activation. Furthermore, work conducted in human patients receiving interferon treatment has elucidated some of the mechanisms underlying immune-induced behavioral changes such as malaise, depressive symptoms, and cognitive deficits. These findings have provided the foundation for development of treatment interventions for conditions in which dysfunction of immune-brain interactions leads to behavioral pathology. Rodent models of neuroimmune activation frequently utilize endotoxins and cytokines to directly stimulate the immune system. In the absence of pathogen-induced inflammation, a variety of environmental stressors, including psychosocial stressors, also lead to neuroimmune alterations and concurrent behavioral changes. These behavioral alterations can be assessed using a battery of behavioral paradigms while distinguishing acute sickness behavior from the type of behavioral outcome being assessed. Animal studies have also been useful in delineating the role of microglia, the neuroendocrine system, neurotransmitters, and neurotrophins in mediating the behavioral implications of altered neuroimmune activity. Furthermore, the timing and duration of neuroimmune challenge as well as the sex of the organism can impact the behavioral manifestations of altered neuroimmune activity. Finally, neuroimmune modulation through pharmacological or psychosocial approaches has potential for modulating behavior.

scholarly journals The affordability of a healthy and sustainable diet: An Australian case study.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tara Goulding ◽  
Rebecca Lindberg ◽  
Catherine Georgina Russell
Keyword(s):  
Food Policy ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Planetary Health ◽  
Australian State ◽  
Sustainable Diet ◽  
Australian Case ◽  
Food Basket ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Country Specific

Abstract BACKGROUND/AIMS: EAT–Lancet Commission’s Planetary Health Diet proposed a diet that integrates nutrition and sustainability considerations, however its affordability is unknown in many country-specific contexts, including Australia. The aim of this study is to develop a healthy and sustainable food basket modelled on the Planetary Health Diet to determine the affordability of the Planetary Health Diet basket across various socio-economic groups, and compare this affordability with a food basket modelled on the typical current diet, in an Australian setting.METHODS: An Australian-specific Planetary Health Diet basket was developed for a reference household (2 adults and 2 children) modelled on the Planetary Health Diet reference diet, and compared to a previously-developed Typical Australian Diet basket. The cost of each food basket was determined by online supermarket shopping surveys in low, medium and high socio-economic areas in each Australian state. Basket affordability was determined for the reference household by comparing the basket cost to disposable income in each socio-economic group in each state. Mann-Whitney U tests then determined if there were significant differences between the median costs and the median affordability of both baskets.RESULTS: The Planetary Health Diet basket was shown to be less expensive and more affordable than the Typical Australian Diet basket nationally, in all metropolitan areas, in all socio-economic groups across Australia (median cost: Planetary Health Diet=AUD$188.21, Typical Australian Diet=AUD$224.36; median affordability: Planetary Health Diet=13%, Typical Australian Diet=16%; p=<0.05).CONCLUSIONS: This study showed the Planetary Health Diet to be more affordable than the Typical Australian Diet for metropolitan-dwelling Australians.IMPLICATIONS: These results can help to inform public health and food policy aimed at achieving a healthy and sustainable future for all Australians, including reductions in overweight/obesity rates and increased food security.

Antibiotics are Passe: Take a Look at Probiotics

2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-111
Author(s):  
M Manjunath ◽  
TA Deepak ◽  
Shubha Pewa
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Mark Twain ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Attachment Sites ◽  
Good For ◽  
Metabolic Activities ◽  
Digestive Health

ABSTRACT “Part of the secret of success in life is to eat, what you like and let the food fight it out inside.” —Mark Twain This age—old quote was probably the first reference to a relatively novel group of organisms fondly known as ‘probiotics’. Probiotics are live organisms that alter the composition or metabolic activities of the microbiota, or to modulate immune system reactivity in a way that benefits our health. In other words, they are microorganisms good for our health. To achieve this, probiotics actively ‘compete’ with pathogenic bacteria for attachment sites, nutrition, etc. Probiotics are also beneficial by eliminating the toxins produced by pathogens, hereby rendering them invalid. Research surrounding probiotics has historically focused on digestive health. Over recent years, scientists have been investigating the potential immune benefits of probiotics, as well as other benefits beyond the recognized area of gut. This article attempts to summarize the mechanisms of action of probiotics with a brief overview of some of the oral benefits of certain probiotics organisms.

Dermatologic Complications

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kudakwashe Mutyambizi
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Opportunistic Infections ◽  
Immune Dysregulation ◽  
Drug Reactions ◽  
Inflammatory Dermatoses ◽  
Metabolic Dysregulation ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Chronic Skin

The hallmark of HIV infection is immune dysregulation and immunosuppression. As the immune system deteriorates, inflammatory dermatoses, metabolic dysregulation, adverse drug reactions, opportunistic infections, and cutaneous malignancies become more common, atypical in presentation, and recalcitrant to therapy. Both acute and chronic skin complaints contribute significantly to reduced quality of life for HIV patients. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that individuals between ages 13 and 64 years be tested for HIV at least once in their lifetime, with increased screening of high-risk individuals and testing based on symptoms. The presence of dermatoses uncommon in the general population but concentrated in the HIV population, or dermatoses strikingly recalcitrant to therapy, should warrant suspicion and testing for HIV.

scholarly journals The affordability of a healthy and sustainable diet: an Australian case study

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tara Goulding ◽  
Rebecca Lindberg ◽  
Catherine Georgina Russell
Keyword(s):  
Food Policy ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Planetary Health ◽  
Australian State ◽  
Sustainable Diet ◽  
Australian Case ◽  
Food Basket ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Country Specific

Abstract Background/Aims EAT–Lancet Commission’s Planetary Health Diet proposed a diet that integrates nutrition and sustainability considerations, however its affordability is unknown in many country-specific contexts, including Australia. The aim of this study is to develop a healthy and sustainable food basket modelled on the Planetary Health Diet to determine the affordability of the Planetary Health Diet basket across various socio-economic groups, and compare this affordability with a food basket modelled on the typical current diet, in an Australian setting. Methods An Australian-specific Planetary Health Diet basket was developed for a reference household (2 adults and 2 children) modelled on the Planetary Health Diet reference diet, and compared to a previously-developed Typical Australian Diet basket. The cost of each food basket was determined by online supermarket shopping surveys in low, medium and high socio-economic areas in each Australian state. Basket affordability was determined for the reference household by comparing the basket cost to disposable income in each socio-economic group in each state. Mann-Whitney U tests then determined if there were significant differences between the median costs and the median affordability of both baskets. Results The Planetary Health Diet basket was shown to be less expensive and more affordable than the Typical Australian Diet basket nationally, in all metropolitan areas, in all socio-economic groups across Australia (median cost: Planetary Health Diet = AUD$188.21, Typical Australian Diet = AUD$224.36; median affordability: Planetary Health Diet = 13%, Typical Australian Diet = 16%; p = < 0.05). Conclusions This study showed the Planetary Health Diet to be more affordable than the Typical Australian Diet for metropolitan-dwelling Australians. Implications These results can help to inform public health and food policy aimed at achieving a healthy and sustainable future for all Australians, including reductions in overweight/obesity rates and increased food security.

scholarly journals The affordability of a healthy and sustainable diet: An Australian case study.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tara Goulding ◽  
Rebecca Lindberg ◽  
Catherine Georgina Russell
Keyword(s):  
Food Policy ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Planetary Health ◽  
Australian State ◽  
Sustainable Diet ◽  
Australian Case ◽  
Food Basket ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Country Specific

Abstract BACKGROUND/AIMS : EAT– Lancet Commission’s Planetary Health Diet proposed a diet that integrates nutrition and sustainability considerations, however its affordability is unknown in many country-specific contexts, including Australia. The aim of this study is to develop a healthy and sustainable food basket modelled on the Planetary Health Diet to determine the affordability of the Planetary Health Diet basket across various socio-economic groups, and compare this affordability with a food basket modelled on the typical current diet, in an Australian setting.METHODS : An Australian-specific Planetary Health Diet basket was developed for a reference household (2 adults and 2 children) modelled on the Planetary Health Diet reference diet, and compared to a previously-developed Typical Australian Diet basket. The cost of each food basket was determined by online supermarket shopping surveys in low, medium and high socio-economic areas in each Australian state. Basket affordability was determined for the reference household by comparing the basket cost to disposable income in each socio-economic group in each state. Mann-Whitney U tests then determined if there were significant differences between the median costs and the median affordability of both baskets.RESULTS : The Planetary Health Diet basket was shown to be less expensive and more affordable than the Typical Australian Diet basket nationally, in all metropolitan areas, in all socio-economic groups across Australia (median cost: Planetary Health Diet=AUD$188.21, Typical Australian Diet=AUD$224.36; median affordability: Planetary Health Diet=13%, Typical Australian Diet=16%; p =<0.05).CONCLUSIONS : This study showed the Planetary Health Diet to be more affordable than the Typical Australian Diet for metropolitan-dwelling Australians.IMPLICATIONS : These results can help to inform public health and food policy aimed at achieving a healthy and sustainable future for all Australians, including reductions in overweight/obesity rates and increased food security.

scholarly journals The “I” in Depression: How Feeding the Immune System Can Lead to Behavioral Changes in Inflammatory Conditions

2018 ◽  
Vol 155 (4) ◽  
pp. 1265-1267
Author(s):  
Adrian Gomez-Nguyen ◽  
Noble Ogbu ◽  
Fabio Cominelli ◽  
Maneesh Dave
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Behavioral Changes ◽  
Inflammatory Conditions

scholarly journals EDUKASI PENGGUNAAN PROBIOTIK YANG TEPAT SEBAGAI IMUNOSTIMULAN DI ERA PANDEMI COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-57
Author(s):  
Herlinda Mawardika ◽  
Ira Oktavia
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Community Service ◽  
Digestive System ◽  
The Body ◽  
Fermentation Products ◽  
The Public ◽  
Keywords Probiotics ◽  
Huge Impact ◽  
Good For ◽  
The Right

ABSTRAKPandemi COVID-19 adalah salah satu masalah utama yang sedang dihadapi masyarakat karena memberikan dampak yang besar di bidang kesehatan maupun perekonomian. Dalam mengatasi infeksi COVID-19, masyarakat dianjurkan untuk menerapkan protokol kesehatan seperti memakai masker, menjaga jarak, cuci tangan dengan sabun, serta menjaga imunitas tubuh melalui olahraga dan konsumsi makanan atau minuman yang baik untuk kesehatan. Selain jamu, probiotik dapat menjadi pilihan yang tepat untuk dikonsumsi selama pandemi COVID-19. Probiotik adalah kultur mikroba hidup yang baik untuk sistem pencernaan dan diketahui berperan dalam mempengaruhi sistem imun tubuh. Probiotik dapat diperoleh dari produk-produk fermentasi. Kegiatan pengabdian masyarakat ini bertujuan memberikan informasi kepaa masyarakat tentang penggunaan probiotik yang tepat untuk peningkatan imunitas tubuh di era pandemi COVID-19. Kegiatan ini dilakukan melalui sosialisasi di Desa Duwet Kabupaten Malang. Keberhasilan pengabdian masyarakat ditentukan dari penilaian kuesioner yang diberikan ke peserta. Hasil evaluasi kegiatan menunjukkan bahwa pengabdian kepada masyarakat ini berlangsung dengan baik dan dapat mencapai tujuan yang diharapkan, yaitu sosialisasi dapat meningkatan pemahaman dan kesadaran peserta untuk mengkonsumsi probiotik.Kata Kunci: Probiotik, Imune system, COVID-19 ABSTRACTPandemic COVID-19 is one of the main problems faced by society because it causes a huge impact in the field of health and economy. In overcoming the infection of COVID-19, people are encouraged to apply health protocols such as wearing mask, keeping a distance, washing hands with soap, as well as maintaining the immunity of the body through exercise and the consumption of foods or drinks that are good for health. In addition to herbs, probiotics can be the right choice to be consumed during the pandemic COVID-19. Probiotics are cultures of live microbes that are good for digestive system and have been found to influence the immune system. Probiotics can be obtained from the fermentation products. The objective of this community service was to provide information for the public about the proper use of probiotic to increase the body's immunity in the era of pandemic COVID-19. This activity was carried out by socialization in Duwet Village Malang Regency. The success of the community is determined based on the assessment of participants’questionnaire. The results showed that this community service was going well and achieved the expected goal, socialization increased participants’ awareness and understanding of probiotic consumption. Keywords: Probiotics, Immune system, COVID-19

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document