Thirty to 35 percent of cancers in America are attributed to diet, according to a 2008 study published in "Pharmaceutical Research." Although a healthy diet full of a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products can help prevent many chronic diseases, specific medical conditions can even be reversed by employing healthy eating habits. Some diseases require changes in specific nutrient levels, and others simple require a wholesome approach to eating. As always, consult your doctor before changing your diet, especially if you are doing so in order to combat a medical condition.
Malnutrition
Diets deficient in essential vitamins and minerals are seldom seen in the United States but still exist. Rickets is caused by a deficiency of vitamin D, anemia can be induced by a deficiency of iron, and scurvy is caused by not eating enough vitamin C. Fortunately, most modern food sources and supplements are fortified with some of these vital nutrients, though deficiencies are more common among those with eating disorders or post-bariatric surgery due to lowered food consumption and absorption. Malnutrition can also negatively affect other chronic diseases and increase their progression, such as Alzheimer's disease, as published in "Recenti Progressi in Medicina" in 2000.
High Cholesterol
Another medical condition that can be reversed by diet is high cholesterol if the cause is not genetic. Diets high in saturated and trans fats can cause high cholesterol levels in the blood. Lowering consumption of animal fats and processed foods and increasing consumption of healthy omega-3 fatty acids can help to reduce cholesterol levels, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
High-Blood Pressure
High-blood pressure can be controlled by modifying your sodium intake, as too much sodium can cause your blood volume to increase and your pressure to rise. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, or DASH, diet, which is promoted by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to control high-blood pressure, limits sodium consumption to 1,500 mg daily, according to the Mayo Clinic website.
Obesity
When your weight is 20 percent above what is considered healthy for your age and stature, you are considered obese. This is caused by eating too much and moving too little, and tailoring your diet to modestly decrease calories and consumption of processed foods to achieve weight loss is often the first line of defense prescribed by your doctor. If exercise and diet do not work, bariatric surgery may be an option that your doctor will want to discuss with you.
Celiac Disease
Celiac disease prevents the body from absorbing nutrients effectively, and gluten foods wreak havoc on the immune system of these patients. The villi that allow the small intestine to absorb food are destroyed, thus leading to possible malnutrition. Celiac patients are often prescribed a gluten-free diet, which requires avoiding foods containing this protein, such as wheat and barley, to avoid progression of the disease and its associated symptoms.
References
- NDDIC: Celiac Disease
- Pharmaceutical Research; Cancer is a Preventable Disease; Anand et al; July 2008
- Centers For Disease Control and Prevention: Overweight and Obesity Causes
- MayoClinic.com: DASH diet
- University of Maryland Medical Center: What Causes High Cholesterol?
- Recenti Progressi di Medicina; Nutritional deficiency and Alzheimer's disease; Cicconetti et al; Mar 2000
