Bengaluru, NFAPost: Happiest Health, a renowned health and wellness knowledge platform, recently hosted a two-day summit called ‘The Edge of Nutrition 2023’ at St John’s Auditorium. The event brought together over 600 health-conscious individuals who gathered to listen to doctors and nutrition experts discuss the critical role of nutrition in disease prevention and health management. The summit focused on personalized nutrition and aimed to debunk nutritional myths while educating, inspiring, and fostering collaboration in the field.
The summit commenced with a keynote address by Dr. Anura Kurpad, a respected Professor of Physiology at St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences in Bengaluru. Dr. Kurpad shed light on metabolic obesity and debunked myths surrounding superfoods. He emphasized the significance of dietary choices and their impact on overall health and well-being. He cautioned against following “fad diets” and instead advised reducing calorie intake while improving the quality of food. Dr. Kurpad also highlighted the absence of a “superfood” and encouraged people to avoid “ultra-processed food” that is easily absorbed by the body and has high energy density.
Dr. Nandan Joshi, Head of Medical Affairs – Nutrition at Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, shared insights on healthy aging and its continuous process of maintaining and improving physical and mental health throughout life. He emphasized the importance of a balanced protein intake in promoting healthy aging processes, stating that healthy muscles contribute to healthy aging. Dr. Joshi stressed the significance of resistance training to maintain muscle mass and tone, particularly for individuals with lower muscle mass like Indians. He recommended starting a food diary to track protein intake.
Dr. Sridevi, CFTRI Director, addressed the million-dollar question in nutrition: the best source of natural and healthy proteins – plant-based or animal proteins. She advocated for menu diversity, stating that animal protein is easier to digest as the animal has already digested the plant protein. Additionally, animal protein contains the required proportion of essential amino acids. However, she highlighted the benefits of plant protein, such as fiber, a healthier fat profile, necessary phytonutrients, and environmental friendliness, making it an attractive option.
Ryan Fernando, an Expert Sports Nutritionist and Food Educator, delved into the realm of Nutrigenomics. He explained how individual nutritional needs are determined by genetic factors, and understanding one’s genes can significantly impact how food interacts with the body. Fernando emphasized the importance of genetic testing in comprehending the body better.
Anindyo Chowdhury, CEO and President of Happiest Health gave the inaugural note, expressing the platform’s commitment to bring together exceptional minds in the field of nutrition. He highlighted the exceptional lineup of leading experts, researchers, and visionaries who shared invaluable insights and expertise during the summit.
India is currently facing an impending epidemic of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) that account for 63% of all deaths in the country. Lifestyle-related causes such as inactivity and an unhealthy diet have contributed to the rise of conditions like cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular issues. ‘The Edge of Nutrition’ aimed to address this alarming issue by raising awareness about the role of personalized nutrition in disease prevention and health management. The event also aimed to dispel misguided cultural notions about healthy nutrition and encourage the healthcare industry to take up the responsibility of educating the public about the latest research and developments for a healthier nation.
In addition to the enlightening sessions, participants at the summit had the opportunity to embark on a culinary adventure with ‘Eatopia – 2023.’ This food extravaganza provided a range of delicious and nutritious food offerings across various experiential food zones.
The first day of the summit successfully raised awareness about the importance of personalized nutrition and the role of nutrigenomics in achieving it. It also served as a platform for networking and collaboration among stakeholders in the nutrition and health industries, fostering knowledge exchange and envisioning a healthier future.
‘The Edge of Nutrition’ aims to become an annual event, aligning with Happiest Health’s vision of being a leading forum that empowers individuals with up-to-date nutrition and health information to take charge of their personal health and well-being.
