Food provides the human body with the building blocks (nutrients) and fuel (energy) that are required for healthy function. Food is more than essential and for many people it is enjoyed on several levels.

Unfortunately, food has been linked to both emotional and physical problems. From an emotional perspective, food can be used to fill a feeling of emptiness or to gain a sense of control, sometimes leading to eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa. From a physical perspective, the quality of one’s diet can be a powerful contributor to the development of many diseases, of which heart-related problems are among the most serious. High-calorie diets that are also high in cholesterol and certain fats and oils greatly increase the risk of the following: