Unit 21 P3 M2 D1 Influences on dietary intake and nutritional health
P3
M2
Health factors
Diabetes mellitus
Diabetes is a disorder in which insulin, the hormone, is being produced in inadequate amounts,
being utilized improperly by the body or is not being produced at all by the pancreas. There are
two forms of diabetes which are Type 1 diabetes (insulin dependent diabetes mellitus-IDDM) OR
Type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus-NIDDM). If the condition IDDM was to
remain untreated it would cause death due to an absence of glucose in the vital organs and cells.
IDDM is treated using injections of insulin, whilst NIDDM is treated by forming a diet plan, which
is sometimes accompanied with medication. Leaving diabetes untreated may cause
complications such as; kidney failure, strokes, blindness and gangrene which may require
amputation of the lower limbs. Often individuals with diabetes are given a diet plan and cut out
sugar from their diet all together, depending on the form and severity of their diabetes.
Sometimes sugar substitutes can be provided such as aspartame and sucrose. These sweeteners
often has chemical sweeteners or increased levels of sodium.
Coeliac disease
Coeliac disease is intolerance to protein gluten, found in rye, wheat and barley. Gluten initiates
the production of antibodies through the immune system, which assault the bowel lining. This
could influence the body’s ability to attract nutrients from sustenance. In some cases this may
lead to osteoporosis and anaemia. The risk of bowel cancer can also be heightened. Individuals
with coeliac disease must remove all foods including rye, wheat and barley from their diet.
Gluten-free products are obtainable, sometimes by prescription. Symptoms include; anaemia,
adult weight-loss, bloating, constipation, failure to gain weight in children, abdominal pain and
diarrhoea. Individuals with coeliac disease can consume alternative starches such as; quinoa,
potatoes, millet, rice and corn. They can also consume vegetables and fresh meats.
Irritable bowel syndrome
IBS is a disorder in which the functions of the bowel are simply disturbed, this may cause
flatulence, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, constipation and bloating. On inspection there are no
irregularities within the bowel. A cause for IBS is unknown, however, it seems there may be over
activity within the nerves of the gut, with some individuals able to detect particular foods
initiating their symptoms. IBS can occasionally develop succeeding a stint of diarrhoea caused by
infection, remaining in the absence of the infection. Some individuals may experience these
symptoms after receiving a course of antibiotics, which eliminate standard bacteria that ought to
be current within the bowel. Experimentation with diet is advised in order to detect which foods
irritate the IBS and evade these.
Lactose intolerance
Lactose is the native sugar in milk and is a conventional intolerance. The levels of lactose
intolerance can be either mild or severe. Children who suffer with lactose intolerance are unable
to produce lactase, which is an enzyme required to diffuse lactose into glucose and galactose
prior to its absorption during digestion. Children suffering with this disorder severely have
complications with weight gain and also suffer from diarrhoea. The lactose agitates within the
bowel initiating bloating. Lactose is sourced in a range of foods such as; ice cream, chocolate,
mayonnaise, cakes and cheese. Individuals who eliminate lactose products from their diet, risks
calcium deficiency, which may initiate osteoporosis and rickets, making it important that a
sufficient calcium intake is ensured.
Food allergy
Some individuals suffer with allergies to specific foods. A food allergy is often mistaken for a
food intolerance, however, a food allergy is much more dangerous. Allergic reactions are serious
and may cause death. The most common form of food allergy in adults are; fish, nuts and
shellfish, whilst in children’s it is; soya, cow’s milk, wheat and eggs. Symptoms that may present
P3
M2
Health factors
Diabetes mellitus
Diabetes is a disorder in which insulin, the hormone, is being produced in inadequate amounts,
being utilized improperly by the body or is not being produced at all by the pancreas. There are
two forms of diabetes which are Type 1 diabetes (insulin dependent diabetes mellitus-IDDM) OR
Type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus-NIDDM). If the condition IDDM was to
remain untreated it would cause death due to an absence of glucose in the vital organs and cells.
IDDM is treated using injections of insulin, whilst NIDDM is treated by forming a diet plan, which
is sometimes accompanied with medication. Leaving diabetes untreated may cause
complications such as; kidney failure, strokes, blindness and gangrene which may require
amputation of the lower limbs. Often individuals with diabetes are given a diet plan and cut out
sugar from their diet all together, depending on the form and severity of their diabetes.
Sometimes sugar substitutes can be provided such as aspartame and sucrose. These sweeteners
often has chemical sweeteners or increased levels of sodium.
Coeliac disease
Coeliac disease is intolerance to protein gluten, found in rye, wheat and barley. Gluten initiates
the production of antibodies through the immune system, which assault the bowel lining. This
could influence the body’s ability to attract nutrients from sustenance. In some cases this may
lead to osteoporosis and anaemia. The risk of bowel cancer can also be heightened. Individuals
with coeliac disease must remove all foods including rye, wheat and barley from their diet.
Gluten-free products are obtainable, sometimes by prescription. Symptoms include; anaemia,
adult weight-loss, bloating, constipation, failure to gain weight in children, abdominal pain and
diarrhoea. Individuals with coeliac disease can consume alternative starches such as; quinoa,
potatoes, millet, rice and corn. They can also consume vegetables and fresh meats.
Irritable bowel syndrome
IBS is a disorder in which the functions of the bowel are simply disturbed, this may cause
flatulence, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, constipation and bloating. On inspection there are no
irregularities within the bowel. A cause for IBS is unknown, however, it seems there may be over
activity within the nerves of the gut, with some individuals able to detect particular foods
initiating their symptoms. IBS can occasionally develop succeeding a stint of diarrhoea caused by
infection, remaining in the absence of the infection. Some individuals may experience these
symptoms after receiving a course of antibiotics, which eliminate standard bacteria that ought to
be current within the bowel. Experimentation with diet is advised in order to detect which foods
irritate the IBS and evade these.
Lactose intolerance
Lactose is the native sugar in milk and is a conventional intolerance. The levels of lactose
intolerance can be either mild or severe. Children who suffer with lactose intolerance are unable
to produce lactase, which is an enzyme required to diffuse lactose into glucose and galactose
prior to its absorption during digestion. Children suffering with this disorder severely have
complications with weight gain and also suffer from diarrhoea. The lactose agitates within the
bowel initiating bloating. Lactose is sourced in a range of foods such as; ice cream, chocolate,
mayonnaise, cakes and cheese. Individuals who eliminate lactose products from their diet, risks
calcium deficiency, which may initiate osteoporosis and rickets, making it important that a
sufficient calcium intake is ensured.
Food allergy
Some individuals suffer with allergies to specific foods. A food allergy is often mistaken for a
food intolerance, however, a food allergy is much more dangerous. Allergic reactions are serious
and may cause death. The most common form of food allergy in adults are; fish, nuts and
shellfish, whilst in children’s it is; soya, cow’s milk, wheat and eggs. Symptoms that may present
