Embracing Personalized Health: The Impact of Diet, Nutrition, and Technology on Well-being

  In today’s society, where health awareness is at an all-time high, consumers have access to a diverse range of medical, dietary, and food options. Given that each individual has a distinct body type, it is critical to have a customised approach to health. Individuals can considerably improve their general health by carefully choosing what to eat and knowing the nutrition it delivers.

How Diet and Nutrition Play a Crucial Role?

Diet and nutrition are crucial for health but serve different roles. Diet refers to the total food intake, while nutrition is about how the body uses that food for growth, metabolism, and repair. Although closely related, they are not interchangeable; deficiencies in nutrients can affect health, and overall health can influence nutritional needs.

Nandan Gijare, Managing Director of I2CAN, says, “A balanced diet and proper nutrition are vital for growth, repair, disease prevention, and overall well-being. With modern lifestyle changes impacting health and eating habits, maintaining a balanced diet is crucial for good health and preventing various conditions”.

ICMR data reveals that poor diets contribute to 56.4% of India’s illness burden. A balanced diet and regular exercise can significantly reduce risks of coronary heart disease, hypertension, and up to 80% of type 2 diabetes. Embracing balanced nutrition and a healthy lifestyle can prevent many premature deaths. Growing awareness is leading people to move beyond just avoiding junk food, focusing on home-cooked, nutritious meals, managing weight, counting calories, and addressing concerns like gut health, skin, and hair. This reflects a deeper commitment to overall well-being.

Modern technology, including fitness apps, trackers, and smart scales, is also aiding in health and diet management. Smartwatches and fitness trackers offer data on weight and calorie burn, while continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) provide real-time glucose levels, helping track food intake, activity, and medication.

Current Trends in Diet and Nutrition

The focus is shifting towards modern medical approaches and proactive strategies for maintaining good health through balanced diet and nutrition. These include:

Nutrigenomics Testing – Nutrigenomic testing tailors nutrition plans to genetic profiles, aiding informed dietary choices and reducing disease risk by identifying genetic variations that affect nutrient needs and food sensitivities.

Mindful and Sustainable Eating – Mindful eating involves savoring each bite and tuning into hunger cues. It supports health and environmental sustainability by choosing local, whole foods, reducing carbon footprints, and promoting a sustainable diet.

Here are some emerging trends poised to transform how people manage their diet and nutrition for better health :

Microbiome Analysis: The gut microbiome, essential for health and influenced by diet, provides insights into health risks. Analyzing it will help create personalized dietary recommendations to improve well-being.

Hyper-Personalization with AI: AI-driven hyper-personalization is transforming diet and nutrition by delivering customized nutritional plans with real-time adjustments and predictive analysis for more effective guidance.

People must take consultation from experts who offer specialized guidance in areas such as  aesthetics medicine, cosmetology, diet and nutrition. A Pune-based institute, I2CAN excels in these fields, providing advanced diplomas in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, skin and hair nutrition, and nutritional gynaecology. By training skilled professionals, the institute enhances personalised dietary advice, contributing to overall well-being and contributing to a healthier nation.