Edited by: Balestra Alberto
For example, in the herbal field the definition is given:
"The term" Wellness "indicates well-being intended as an improvement in the general conditions of the" organism and as a strengthening of our defenses through the "integration of those vitamin and mineral supplements"
For holistic disciplines, the same word has another meaning with the addition of a different origin:
"Wellness developed as an approach to life about thirty years ago in America, emphasizing that for the contentment of life it is essential to establish" harmony between the mind, the body and the psyche. "
There is a common factor, which links this term to the different definitions given by the disciplines previously proposed, the attempt to improve the conditions relating to one's well-being and health. The way in which this solution is proposed varies from simple food supplementation to a complete psycho / physical program.
The similarity wellness = well-being has some flaws. In order to make the shortcomings of the first easily understandable, it is necessary to explain what is meant by the term Wellness.
Wellness
The first official definition is given by the WHO in 1948:
"State of complete physical, psychological, social well-being and not simply the absence of disease"
According to this definition, physical state, psyche and society are the three fundamental aspects of well-being. It is therefore not to be considered as constituted by a single component: it is the equilibrium of a set of factors of different nature, but of equal importance.
We can argue that a state of well-being cannot exist if one of the three fundamental components is not satisfied.
First of all, it is necessary to understand what are the subdivisions of well-being and what are the common mistakes to avoid in planning an intervention aimed at its improvement.
I'm from crucial two considerations before reading the rest of the article:
Understanding how it can provide a "general idea of what the various components of well-being are and not be a universal guide to achieving it.
Realize that well-being, and its consequent improvement, must first and foremost be a personal and motivated choice by the various subjects and not an "imposition by others.
Within a program for a possible intervention on well-being, the most important factor will be the ability to listen and understand the needs of the individual or the group with whom we have to relate.
Various Macro-areas are identified below, in turn divided into micro-areas of belonging:
Physical health and well-being
Another important aspect to note is the "presumed" non-influence of the pathological state of the individual. Presumed healthy or with evident pathology, health would therefore be placed in a different location than the pathological state.
As stated by Gadamer: "Unlike illness, health is never a cause for concern, in fact one is hardly ever aware of being healthy."
It must be emphasized that health and well-being take on different meanings within the clinical setting and as such take on a different meaning in relation to the quote:
The state of health indicates the complete absence of disease.With this term we consider the so-called "apparently healthy subjects", characterized by the complete absence of both acute and chronic states.
On the contrary, well-being does not take into account the "health" variable, but evaluates the state of personal perception of one's life.
There are documented clinical cases that demonstrate the improvement of physical conditions in subjects suffering from diabetic pathology.
"Constant training can lead to a 20-30% reduction in daily insulin requirements. In type 2 diabetes mellitus exercise has been shown to reduce peripheral insulin resistance, plasma triglyceride levels and VLDLs.
Therefore, physical exercise improves blood sugar, as it determines weight loss, its maintenance over time and the reduction of insulin resistance: the increased sensitivity of insulin resulting from the increased use of glucose occurs not only during physical activity but persists in the following 48 hours. "
A program based on the improvement of well-being from the physical point of view, can lead to an improvement in the perception of one's health but not to a recovery from one's pathological state.
It is therefore wrong to believe, and to affirm, that physical activity improves the state of health. On the contrary it is correct, and to always keep in mind, that it plays a fundamental role in prevention:
- of complications due to chronic diseases.
-In the "onset of pathological states in apparently healthy subjects.
From what has been said previously, it can therefore be understood that there is an actual improvement, but in well-being and not in health.
Nutrition and Nutritional Integration
A particular note must be placed on this topic, which has met with considerable success in the last decade. The efficacy of food supplementation and its positive aspects on physical well-being are a very sensitive topic of discussion. In many ways, the "integration is considered as an" alternative "method to proper nutrition in order to ensure the intake of all those micronutrients contained in foods that are often not included in the common diet.
This instinctive solution is not considered valid by many scholars in the field, citing Katch: "The general opinion is that the physically active, balanced diet population does not need food supplements."
The analysis of this sentence leads us to understand the most important aspect linked to this type of well-being: physical activity and a balanced diet are fundamental. Whoever respects these first two aspects does not need to resort to integration (n.d.a The discourse is limited to recreational and non-competitive sports).
On subjects who do not respect these two conditions, some studies (Weight 1988) have brought attention to how supplementation, in the specific case of vitamins, can compensate for the deficiencies due to an incorrect diet without however leading to actual improvements in the state. physicist.
After what has been said, food supplementation would not seem essential for an improvement in our physical conditions.
A separate discussion must be made for a hormone, melatonin: from various studies conducted on animals (Huether G. 1996) it has been verified that its correct integration increases the duration of life and reduces the speed of aging.
It is always necessary to move with caution within this field, avoiding exaggeration and above all avoiding considering supplements as "miracle pills" capable of allowing us a good state of physical well-being by compensating for deficiencies attributable to a lifestyle that is not exactly correct.
second part "
