Everyone wants good health. However, not everyone shares a common definition of what good health is, though a common starting point for any definition would have to include the term "nutrition." Proper nutrition is required to keep a human body functioning, but just what is nutrition? Simply put, nutrition is everything we consume that contributes to our health. Nutrition is all the vitamins, minerals and foods that supply the basic needs for life.

In other words, good nutrition is the key to preventing a plethora of health problems. Diet, the food we consume, can either serve to prevent disease or encourage negative health issues. Physical issues from chronic fatigue to skin and hair problems are often related to nutritional issues. A well balanced diet ensures that nutrients are properly distributed to all areas of the body. Conversely, an imbalance contributes to everything from that feeling of being too tired to get up in the morning to male impotence. The secret is to find a balance that works for maintaining a quality of life that only comes from good health.

The human body requires many elements to function properly - to have proper nutrition. At the top of the list is water, followed by carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Each of the elements has a function in keeping the human body healthy, and an excess or shortage of any one element can produce negative health outcomes. While there are arguments about which of them is most important, the simple fact is that we need to concentrate on finding a balance that meets the needs of the human body.

Diet is the primary element in maintaining a healthy nutritional balance. While some nutrients can be obtained from consuming nutritional supplements, the foods available should serve to meet the body's normal requirements. By being cognizant of our nutritional needs, foods can be selected that meet those needs. Unfortunately, this skill does not always come naturally. Each consumer must take the time to become aware of how the human body functions and what foods allow those functions to properly occur.

Only by properly meeting nutritional needs can humans maintain health and guard against illness. And only by recognizing that the human body is essentially an engine that needs specific fuels can humans enjoy good health. Vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins and fats are the fuels that keep human bodies running smoothly. By educating ourselves on which foods provide those nutrients our collective health can be improved, with a corresponding improvement in our quality of life.