Advances in both technology and science as an outcome are considered to have benefited the rapidly expanding sector of medicine to an extent no less than the sector of space exploration. Even as rocket science has dominated the field of space exploration, the multi-discipline teams working in the field have contributed through high order research to ensure the health of the astronauts, before, during and after the space journey, first by orbiting the earth, next reaching the Moon and now planning manned flight to Mars. However, the role of diet in safeguarding their wellness seems to have not figured in the reports on space flights, successful or otherwise. More importantly, the diets of the brave hearts, both men and women, was required to keep them 100 percent physically fit and in high spirits to maximise their alertness and efficiency.

The health-diet intimate connect must have received undiluted attention of our ancestors, particularly in the periods of several centuries vintage, when hospitals were not there and all remedies had to be sought by home-level production of palliatives drawing totally from the plant world.

The nutritionist-doctors duo are having a field-day in our times, with the former telling people what and what not to eat under conditions of wellness and unwell as well as the latter prescribing investigations and medicines to their target patients. Both parties have their good intent of guiding people to eat the most appropriate food without yielding to temptations leading to over-indulgence and bestowing the best medical attention to get rid of afflictions, their number reportedly exceeding 1,500 nowadays. Two snags seem to bug the people, even complying with the advisories of nutritionists and diktats of doctors, namely (a) Food adulteration and (b) Fake medicines.

Complying with norms of the right diet and proven medical treatment is easier said than achieved. The bottom line: With the ideal diet, your life may be less sweet but your lifespan would be longer. To be watchful about the need of both diet and drugs avoiding greed is everyone’s onus.