Food for Thought

We often hear the phrase ‘you are what you eat’, raising our awareness of what we put in our bodies will not only benefit the clients that we treat, but will also benefit ourselves as therapists, I decided it would be good idea to share some key facts related to nutrition with you on a regular basis.

Enjoy

What is “nutrition”?

Nutrition is the science of food, the nutrients in foods and how the body uses those nutrients. The science studies the process by which living organisms acquires all things that are necessary for them to live and grow. Nutrients are defined as substances that the body is unable to make on its own. These nutrients include minerals, vitamins and macromolecules. It includes the process of ingestion, digestion, absorption, metabolism, transport, storage and excretion of those nutrients. It also includes the environmental, psychological and behavioral aspects of food and eating. The six classes of nutrients include: carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals and water. To summarise nutrition consists of Diet which is the foodstuffs which are taken into the body; and metabolism what happened to the food when it enters the body and the chemical changes that occur.

What is cholesterol? What are the two main types?

Cholesterol is a fatty substance which is found in the blood. It is mainly made in the body and plays an essential role in how every cell in the body works. Unfotunately too much cholesterol in the blood can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Proteins carry cholesterol around the body and these combinations of cholesterol and proteins are called lipoproteins. The tow main types of lipoproteins are:

Low- denstity lipoproteins (LDL) which is the harmful type of cholesterol

High-density lipoproteins (HDL) which is a protective type of cholesterol

It is important to note that some people can have high blood cholesterol even thought they eat a healthy diet. for example it is possible to inherit a condition called familial hyperlipidaemia (FH). A common cause of high blood cholesterol  levels is eating too much saturated fat.

What are the types of fat found in food? What are trans fats?

There are two main types of fat found in food – saturated and unsaturated. Both contain the same amount of calories but to ensure you maintain a healthy diet, you need to cut down on food high in saturated fat and eat foods that are rich in unsaturated fat. Eating a diet high in saturated fat will cause the level of cholesterol in the blood to increase over a period of time, if excessive amounts of cholesterol are in the body the risk of heart disease and its associated conditions is greatly increased. On average a man should eat no more that 30g of saturated fat a day, and an average woman no more than 20g a day.

Trans fats are chemically altered vegetable oils. They are artificially produced in a process called hydrogenation which turns liquid oil into solid fat.  They are used because they are cheap, adding bulk and they have a neutral flavor and give products a long shelf life. They are of no nutritional value at all. They can be found in processed foods, foods containing hydrogenated vegetable oil and also occur naturally, but at very low levels for ex dairy products. Trans fats can raise cholesterol levels in the blood, this is why it is recommended that no more that 2% of the energy (calories) is made up of trans fats.

What is the medical importance of Omega-3 fatty acids?

The medical importance of Omega-3 fatty acids are that they reduce inflammation and may help lower the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer and arthritis. Omega-3 fatty acids are highly concentrated in the brain and appear to be important for cognitive (memory and performance) and behavioral function. It is interesting to note also that infants which do not get enough Omega-3 fatty acids from their mothers during pregnancy are at risk of developing vision and nerve problems.

By Alison Young BSc, FIAT, ALTT, BCMA

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BCMA Roadshow Feedback

Sandhurst Community Hall

I am pleased to report that the Roadshow was a great sucess! The day was amazing and a fitting event to mark our 25 years.

With plenty of time for networking and 3 very interesting and informative speakers –

Marilyn Devonish, John Levine  and Jane Miller

We would like to thank these speakers for making such a positive contribution to our day.

Here are some of the wonderful feedback comments we received –

‘Great keep it up’

Jane welcomes everyone to the event

‘Excellent Event – would prefer more hands on’

‘Very Good – shame more did not attend’

‘Really well organised’

‘Well Done more please’

Had a wonderful day Thank you so much’

‘It was a very good event, Thank you very much for organising it’

‘Thoroughly enjoyed it! Took away lots of ideas to put into practise. Look forward to the next one Thank you’

‘Fantastic day’

We would like to thank everyone for their attendance and feedback from the day.

We even had an unexpected guest or guests and I can confirm the presence of several young chicks and their mother didn’t seem to be disturbed by the BCMA visitors for the day.

blue tit nest outside of hall

SO … where should we go next?

Do you have a local hall that would be suitable for an event of this type?

Do you run a local networking group who would be interested in an event in your area?

Contact the office with your location and offers of help to make our second event as successful as our first!

Tracy Smith

BCMA Administrator

BCMA Elect A New Chair

It was great to see everyone at the AGM yesterday both new faces and our regular BCMA representatives  for what was an interesting and productive meeting.

We can now confirm that the BCMA  have a new Chair person – Jane Court.

Jane has been a strong and capable acting chair for the last 6 months and yesterday was voted in as the new Chair. Be sure to check back soon or click follow on the right to read more about Jane.

Alison Young of ALTT joined Keith Harmon and Colleen Tucker on the Exec team. The BCMA are proud to be the only umbrella complementary therapy organisation to be run entirely by a volunteer team who are not paid for their hard work and dedication, ensuring that decisions made are for the benefit of CAM not for personal gain.

The BCMA Council IS the membership not a separate body, each BCMA member organisation and independent school, through their representative has a vote on the council, are you being represented? email Tracy at the office to find out more.

Not a member of the BCMA yet? find out how you or your members/graduates can join our national network of therapists!

Tracy Smith BCMA Administrator