Nutrition and energy levels
Nutrition is the science that studies the relationship between diet and health. Diet strongly impacts on health and imbalance of nutrients, either an excess or deficiency, may cause poor health which, in turn, affects bodily functions.
A balanced diet includes all of the following nutrients:
Part of nutrition science is energy balance: the connection between the energy your body takes in, through the foods you eat and the beverages you drink, and the energy your body uses through the activities you do or any illness you have. Energy balance is like a scale. To remain in balance, the calories consumed from foods must be balanced by the calories used in physical activity. To lose weight, you need to use more calories than you take in. On the other hand, to gain weight you need to eat more calories than you use.
When we are unwell the body sometimes needs extra energy to just keep weight steady. This is because the effects of the illness make the body use more energy to repair itself or fight off infection. Even though we might not be as active when unwell the body still needs a good supply of energy to help keep weight steady. To maintain a healthy weight, you need to balance the calories you use with those you take in.
Source: Nutrition in cancer Editorial Board
