DIET AND NUTRITION, PET THERAPY

By:- firoz qureshiDept. psychiaric nursing

An alternative approach to mental health care is one that emphasizes the interrelationship between body, mind and spirit. The National center for complementary and Alternative medicine at the national Institutes of Health was created in 1992 to help evaluate alternative methods of treatment and to integrate those that are effective into mainstream health care practice. Different approaches using to achieve mental wellness are:

Self-helpDiet and nutritionAnimal Assisted Therapy

Expressive therapieso Art therapyo Dance therapyo Music/sound movement therapyCulturally Based Healing Artso Acupunctureo Ayurvedao Yoga/Meditationo Native American Traditional Practice

Relaxation and stress reduction Techniqueso Biofeedbacko Guided Imagery or visualizationo Massage therapyTechnology Based Applicationo Telemedicineo Telephone counselingo Electronic communicationo Radio Psychiatry

Good nutrition can help to prevent disease and promote health. There are six categories of nutrients that the body needs to acquire from food: protein, carbohydrates, fat, fibers, vitamins and minerals, and water.

Proteins

Protein supplies amino acids to build and maintain healthy body tissue. There are 20 amino acids considered essential because the body must have all of them in the right amounts to function properly. Twelve of these are manufactured in the body but the other eight amino acids must be provided by the diet.

Fat

Fat supplies energy and transports nutrients. Essential fatty acids are required by the body to function normally. They can be obtained from canola oil, flaxseed oil, cold-water fish, or fish oil, all of which contain omega-3 fatty acids, and primrose or black currant seed oil, which contain omega-6 fatty acids.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are the body's main source of energy and should be a major part of total daily caloric intake. There are two types of carbohydrates: simple carbohydrates (such as sugar or honey) or complex carbohydrates (such as grains, beans, peas, or potatoes).

Fiber

Fiber is the material that gives plant texture and support. Dietary fiber is found in plant foods such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and whole grains.There are two types of fiber: soluble and insoluble. Insoluble fiber, as the name implies, does not dissolve in water because it contains a high amount of cellulose. Insoluble fiber can be found in the bran of grains, the pulp of fruit and the skin of vegetables. Soluble fiber is the type of fiber that dissolves in water. It can be found in a variety of fruits and vegetables such as apples, oatmeal and oat bran, rye flour, and dried beans

Vitamins and mineralsVitamins are organic substances present in food and required by the body in a minute amount for regulation of metabolism and maintenance of normal growth and functioning. The most commonly known vitamins are A, B1, B2 , B3, B5, B6 , B7 , B9 , B12 , C , D, E, and K. The B and C vitamins are water-soluble, excess amounts of which are excreted in the urine. The A, D, E, and K vitamins are fat-soluble and will be stored in the body fat.

Minerals are vital to our existence because they are the building blocks that make up muscles, tissues, and bones. They also are important components of many life-supporting systems, such as hormones, oxygen transport, and enzyme systems.

WaterWater helps to regulate body temperature, transport nutrients to cells, and rid the body of waste materials

Good nutrition helps individuals achieve general health and well-being. In addition, dietary modifications might be prescribed for a variety of complaints including allergies, anemia, arthritis, colds, depression, fatigue, gastrointestinal disorders, high or low blood pressure, insomnia, headaches, obesity, pregnancy, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), respiratory conditions, and stress.

Nutritional therapy also may be involved as a complement to the allopathic treatments of cancer, diabetes, and Parkinson's disease.

:

A fiber diet helps prevent or treat the following health conditions:

High cholesterol levels Constipation Hemorrhoids Cancer ObesityA diet low in fat also promotes good health and prevents

many diseases. Low-fat diets can help treat or control the following conditions

Obesity Coronary Artery Disease Diabetes Breast Cancer

Individuals should not change their diets without the advice of nutritional experts or health care professionals. Certain individuals, especially children, pregnant and lactating women, and chronically ill patients should only change their diets under professional supervision

It is best to obtain vitamins and minerals through food sources. Excessive intake of vitamins and mineral supplements can cause serious physiological problems. the supplements if adverse reactions occur.

The following is a list of possible side effects resulting from excessive doses of vitamins and minerals:

vitamin A: Birth defects, irreversible bone and liver damage vitamin B1: Deficiencies in B2 and B6 vitamin B6: Damage to the nervous system vitamin C: Effects on the absorption of copper; diarrhea vitamin D: Hypercalcemia (abnormally high concentration of

calcium in the blood) phosphorus: affects the absorption of calcium zinc: affects absorption of copper and iron; suppression of the

immune system

Nutritional supplements are increasingly popular for maintaining good health.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) defines nutritional supplements as products that are taken by mouth to supplement a healthy diet. "Nutritional supplements" is a broad term for a range of products that include:

amino acids enzymes herbal supplements metabolic supplements mineral supplements vitamin supplements.

Nutritional supplements can't claim to treat or cure health

problems, but certain conditions do seem to respond to specific

supplements, including allergies, insomnia, fatigue, digestive

problems, and respiratory conditions.

Health Condition Nutritional Supplements

Allergies•Vitamins A and C (aids immune system) •Nettle (helps prevent sneezing and itching) •Quercetin (found in apples: inhibits histamine release)

Insomnia•Valerian (a relaxant) •Chamomile •Melatonin (a pineal gland hormone

Fatigue •Panax ginseng •Flaxseed oil

Digestive disorders •Peppermint oil (relaxes digestive muscles) •Psyllium (high fiber seed-based supplement)

Colds and flu •Garlic •Zinc lozenges

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a type of therapy that involves an animal with specific characteristics becoming a fundamental part of a person's treatment. Animal-assisted therapy is designed to improve the physical, social, emotional, and/or cognitivefunctioning of the patient, as well as provide educational and motivational effectiveness for participants . AAT can be provided on an individual or group basis. During AAT, therapists document records and evaluate the participant's progress.

Many kinds of animals are used in therapy, including dogs, cats, elephants, birds, dolphins, rabbits, lizards, llamas, and other small animals. Such animals are often referred to as comfort animals. AAT with horsesis known specifically as equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP), equine-assisted creative living (EACL), equine-assisted personal development (EAPD) or hippotherapy.

BenefitsPhysical

Improve fine motor skills. Improve wheelchair skills. Improve standing equilibrioception (balance). May lower blood pressure, risk for stroke or heart attack, and

decrease depression.

Mental A 2007 meta-analysis found that animal-assisted therapy is

associated with moderate effect sizes in improving outcomes in autism spectrum symptoms, medical difficulties, behavioural problems, and emotional well-being.

Increase verbal interactions among group members. Increase attention skills (i.e., paying attention, staying on

task).

Develop leisure/recreation skills. Increase self-esteem. Reduce anxiety. Reduce loneliness. Learn to trust Educational

Increase vocabulary. Aid in long- or short-term memory. [Improve knowledge of concepts, such as size, color,

etc.Motivational

Improve willingness to be involved in a group activity. Improve interactions with others. Improve interactions with staff.

Benefits of Animal-Assisted Activities and Animal-Assisted Therapy

AAA and AAT are so much more than taking a pet to a hospital. They provide motivational, educational and recreational interactions that enhance people’s quality of life. In one setting, trained volunteers bring their dogs to a long-term care facility to provide residents with mental stimulation, physiological benefits and unconditional acceptance. In other settings, the animal interaction motivates rehabilitation patients to walk again, teaches children in special-education classrooms important life skills, and facilitates counselling sessions in mental health centres. Our literacy program helps children improve their reading skills by reading to a therapy animal

Evidence of BenefitsAccording to Katcher, a few controlled clinical

trials researching human-animal relationships

have been published. Most of this research is on

AAT, and it provides evidence for the following

outcomes:

• Depressed patients had increased socialization and decreased depression.

• Children with severe ADHD and conduct disorder had decreased aggressive behaviorand improved attention.

• Patients with autism or developmental disabilities had increased socialization and improved attention.

• Patients with Alzheimer’s disease had improved attention and decreased aggression and anger.

Besides these controlled studies, Katcher said, “clinical and anecdotal evidence suggests that many patients with dissociative disorders and agoraphobia who have companion animals have decreased anxiety and increased social competence.”

PETS AND MENTAL HEALTH

"A dog is man's best friend because he wags his tail and not

his tongue."

--- Dr. Samuel Corson

Animals in a home may serve as a talisman against loneliness and depression. They may add a sense of safety and protection. They may encourage physical activity and social interaction with one's neighbours. They can be outlets of hobbies and opportunities for club interests. They may be the substitutes for children absent. The responsibilities and daily rituals of care may provide a touchstone of reality. They may divert one's cares and troubles. They are socially-acceptable conversation pieces and opportunities for touching

There is increasing evidence that the emotional and psychological benefits of pet companionship have physiological counterparts as well -- that pets improve not only the intangible "quality of life" but also improve human health. Research has demonstrated that petting and caring for animals - particularly those with whom a bonded relationship has been established - can reduce blood pressure and heart rate and improve survival rates from heart disease.

Elderly people who have pets visit physicians 16% less often than do those who do not, and that dog owners, in particular, make 21% fewer visits. Contemplation of a fish tank during dental treatment and oral surgery can reduce anxiety.

Thank you