Foods Obstruct and Overcome Diseases (Food): The Missing Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Public Health Art Till Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The entireness of life is to gain energy to (i) support growth and maturation of the body (ii) defend and control diseases (iii) build survival skills and competence and (iv) lengthen the lifespan. Quite obviously, such magnificent energy is derived by consuming food in diverse mixtures and patterns. Are we curious and equipped enough to learn the efficacy of dietary practices at individual and community level? The well-known recommendation of Sir. Hippocrates has been "If we could give every individual the right amount of nourishment and exercise, not too little and not too much, we would have found the safest way to health". But in general, the health care system has been rarely giving importance to exercise and nutrition as the principal determinants to facilitate enhancement, restoration and maintenance of health and fitness of the individuals. On the other hand, the researches and advancements in the domains of Exercise and Nutrition have been establishing the realities of their tremendous health and therapeutic benefits. It is also clearly evident, neither the general public nor the patients are completely benefited by the modernized practices in the field of Exercise and Nutrition. The best example is patients who underwent Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) surgical repair inevitably presenting thigh muscle atrophy that appears as a major setback for rehabilitation, though this surgical complication could have been prevented by adapting right amount of scientific nourishment and exercise. Is it not important for Physiotherapists to be critical about such adverse outcomes of the medical procedures? Therefore, Physiotherapists must expedite acquiring skills and experience to strongly participate in public health predominantly relying on Exercise prescriptions. In order to ensure the effectiveness, it also becomes indispensable for Physiotherapists to collaborate with the Dietitians, so that suitable hydration, calories and nutrients (macro and micro) are supplied to blend its therapeutic benefits with that of the exercises for general public health and specific rehabilitation regimens of communicable and non-communicable diseases. It is also need of the hour to augment interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches in the medical field apt for the stressors of the contemporary world and the evolutionary stage of humans to not only ensure the healthy human life span but also the sustainability of human life on the Earth.

Resisting Morbidity and Mortality (Rmm): An Equitable Public Health

“…Acute stress-induced activation of SAMS (Sympathoadrenomedullary system) can be a health hazard [65]. Genetics, Epigenetics, Nutrition, Exercise and Somatotype (G.E.N.E.S) can be amalgamated to enhance the precision of all the treatments without any trade-offs" [31]. Sarcopenia represents a loss of muscle strength and mass in older individuals and is a major determinant of fall risk and impaired ability to perform activities of daily living, often leading to disability, loss of independence and death [66].…”

“…Environmental constraints limit trees' reproductive activity in their natural, wild habitats, resulting in poor, irregular productivity yet early fructification and regular, high rates of productivity have been selected by people, unconsciously and consciously [30]. Interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary health care approaches and researches in the medical field must be expedited and strengthened keeping "Foods Obstruct and Overcome Diseases-FOOD" as the foundation [31]. Agriculture is a laborious and disease-prone occupation.…”