Healthy eating is the key to feeling and looking good.

Why is it so important to care about what we eat? Food affects all aspects of our being: mood, energy levels, cravings, mental capacity, sex drive, ageing process, sleeping habits and health condition.

Food contains various types of substances. Protein is the source of amino acids, valuable “building blocks” forming all the tissues of our body. Fat is the richest energy-providing nutrient. Simple carbohydrates (glucose, saccharine) are rapid sources of energy, but their supply in food is not necessary. Glucose for the brain is easily produced in the body from other nutrients. Complex carbohydrates (starch) are valuable sources of energy. Other absorbable substances, essential for correct functions of the body, are vitamins, minerals, trace elements and water. Non-absorbable substances (fiber) have no nutritional value, but they are important for correct gastrointestinal function.

For weight to remain stable, energy intake must match energy output. If the intake exceeds the output, excess energy is stored in the body as adipose tissue. The energy may be released later by breakdown of fat into triglycerides and by their release into the blood as fuel for the tissues. This physiologic system permits humans to survive starvation, but in the presence of nutritional abundance and a sedentary lifestyle, it may result in obesity. The roles of genes, cultural and environmental factors are important, but undoubtedly, the intake and output of energy are key factors in the development of obesity.

The most widely used method of gauging obesity is the body mass index (BMI), which is equal to weight/height2 (in kg/m2). For example, an individual whose weight is 77 kg and height 1.75 m has a BMI of 25. (77/1,752). The most commonly used threshold of obesity is a BMI of 30, but even a BMI between 25 and 30 should be considered medically significant.

The distribution of adipose tissue has substantial implications for morbidity. To be specific - abdominal fat has more significance than fat present in the buttocks and lower extremities. This distinction is most easily made by determining the waist-to-hip ratio; a ratio of more than 0.9 in women and 1.0 in men is unfavorable.

Obesity has major adverse effects on health. Obese individuals are at an increased risk of insulin resistence and diabetes, reproductive disorders, cardiovascular disease, gallstones, cancer, bone, joint, and skin diseases and other problems.

The treatment of obesity is extremely difficult and should involve a change of behaviour a change of diet and increased physcial activity.

Acupuncture may be used to facilitate the treatment of obesity with needles being inserted into specific acupuncture points to reduce the desire for eating. In very severe cases the treatment of obesity may be supported by specific medications or surgical procedures.
An important factor in reducing weight is physical activity. Aerobic activities like running, quick walking, swimming or biking can burn a lot of energy and also have many other positive effects on health.

It is very important to respect the abilities of the body to avoid health complications e.g. joint or spine problems. For this reason people who want to reduce weight are highly recommended to undergo a general medical check up to evaluate their state of health and possible risk factors.

Unicare Medical Center has started a  Unicare Living Lean Program. 

This is a program for people who have already decided to make healthier choices and who are seeking professional support. For those who need to lose a few kilograms or to change their diet, this program can be a good start. Through personal consultations we help our clients to change their unhealthy habits and to reach their goal comfortably. We teach them how to control the timing, composition and amount of food without letting them feel deprived. They get a clear plan of how to lose weight and maintain it.
Self-treatment of obesity with traditional diets is usually ineffective. It may happen that when weight is lost while following a specific diet, the weight usually returns to what it was before.

Our approach is focused on healthier choices and on creating a new lifestyle.

These are our suggestions for people who do not feel well and who are unsatisfied with their bodies:

1. Optimize your body weight.
2. Detoxify your body.
3. Change your eating habits.

Reduction of body weight is not the sole target. Change your life style and you will look better, feel healthier and happier. The target is the achievement of a balanced and harmonious life through satisfactory mental and physical activity, adequate rest, enough sleep, balanced food and positive thinking.

“Kalokagathia“ - The ancient Greeks had an ideal of the harmony of a healthy and beautiful body with a balanced mind filled with good and positive thoughts. They called this ideal “Kalokagathia“ a term coming from the words “kalos” which means beautiful, and “agathos”, which means good. “Kalokagathia“ is our goal.    

Monika Divišová, Personal Nutritional Advisor
Martin Havrda, MD, Internist
Michal Blazej, MD, General Practitioner

Unicare Medical Center