A Passion for Nutrition
Mirna Muhanna, a licensed Palestinian clinical dietitian, has dedicated over seven years to the field of clinical nutrition and she is graduated from Petra university with honors. Her expertise encompasses developing dietary plans and nutrition programs aimed at preventing diseases and addressing issues such as obesity, vitamin deficiencies, autoimmune disorders, food allergies, chronic diseases, and malnutrition. She also specializes in pre- and post-operative nutritional guidance, particularly for bariatric surgeries like adjustable gastric banding and sleeve gastrectomy, as well as weight loss and fitness strategies that incorporate physical activities.
Role at Marble Medical Center
At Marble Medical Center in Qatar, Mirna leads the Nutrition Department, offering comprehensive services tailored to individual needs. These services include nutritional consultations, customized dietary plans for weight loss, weight gain, weight maintenance, and specialized programs for pregnant and breastfeeding women, athletes, and children aged five and above. The center also provides healthy meal options for over eight different dietary programs to promote rapid and healthy weight loss. Additionally, they conduct blood tests related to digestive issues and obesity to identify any factors that might impede weight loss. Based on these results, personalized dietary plans are developed to help patients achieve their goals effectively.
Innovative Approaches to Weight Management
Mirna’s department utilizes state-of-the-art body contouring and firming devices, which have received patents for their effectiveness. They also offer manual lymphatic drainage massages for individuals who have undergone liposuction or those experiencing significant water retention in various body parts. What sets the Nutrition Department at Marble Medical Center apart is its highly skilled medical staff and the availability of cutting-edge equipment to ensure the best and most accurate results. Each case is approached individually, providing patients with personalized dietary plans suitable for their bodies and conditions. The department stays abreast of the latest studies on various dietary systems, offering them to patients with different conditions and goals to achieve the fastest and most effective results.
Community Engagement and Education
Beyond individual consultations, Mirna places a strong emphasis on educating the public about the importance of adopting a healthy dietary lifestyle. The goal is to empower patients to become well-informed about their nutritional choices, effectively becoming their own dietitians. This educational approach ensures that individuals can make informed decisions about their health, leading to long-term well-being.
Comprehensive Assessment and Personalized Plans
The process begins with requesting specific blood tests to check for deficiencies in vitamins and minerals that play a significant role in weight loss or gain, such as iron, vitamin D, and vitamin B12. Hormones, blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and thyroid function are also evaluated to ensure overall health. Following these assessments, a detailed analysis of body composition is conducted using advanced equipment like the InBody 770, which is known for its precision. This analysis provides insights into weight, fat percentage, muscle mass, water content, visceral fat, waist circumference, body mass index, and basal metabolic rate. With this comprehensive information, Mirna crafts individualized dietary plans that align with each patient’s health status and goals. Regular follow-ups every two weeks allow for monitoring progress and making necessary adjustments to the dietary plan, ensuring patients achieve their objectives safely and effectively.
Preventive Strategies Against Nutrition-Related Diseases
Mirna emphasizes the crucial role of a balanced diet in preventing nutrition-related diseases. When developing dietary plans, she ensures a variety of foods to provide adequate vitamins and minerals. Incorporating whole grains helps regulate blood sugar levels, control appetite, and promote satiety. Adequate protein intake from both animal and plant sources is prioritized, especially for vegetarians, to support tissue and muscle building, as well as maintain healthy skin, hair, and nails. Healthy unsaturated fats from sources like olives, olive oil, raw unsalted nuts (such as walnuts, almonds, cashews, and pistachios), fatty fish (like salmon and tuna), and seeds (such as chia and flaxseed) are included to support brain health and maintain normal cholesterol levels. Patients are also encouraged to consume two servings of fresh fruits daily and follow Qatar’s dietary guidelines to obtain essential antioxidants that protect body cells from free radicals. Additionally, incorporating 3-5 servings of various vegetables helps maintain digestive health and provides essential vitamins, minerals, and fibers.
The Interconnection Between Diet and Disease
Mirna highlights the significant impact of diet on health, noting that a healthy diet plays an active role in disease prevention and recovery, while an unhealthy diet can contribute to the onset of illnesses. For instance, many individuals suffer from malnutrition or deficiencies in vitamins and minerals, leading to noticeable symptoms that require supplementation and a nutrient-rich diet to restore health promptly. Diseases such as diabetes, osteoporosis, rickets, pellagra, beriberi, and high levels of harmful cholesterol are often linked to poor nutrition and deficiencies in essential nutrients like niacin, protein, and vitamin B12. A well-balanced diet containing all vital nutrients—including vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and fibers—plays a pivotal role in preventing diseases associated with poor nutrition and dietary habits.
Inspiring Lifestyle and Achievements
Mirna’s lifestyle embodies the principles she advocates. Her commitment to continuous learning and staying updated with the latest research in nutrition ensures that her patients receive the most effective and evidence-based guidance. Her achievements in the field, including leading a distinguished Nutrition Department and implementing innovative weight management solutions, serve as an inspiration to many. By sharing her knowledge and experiences, Mirna motivates others to adopt healthier lifestyles and make informed dietary choices, ultimately contributing to a healthier community.
Current Endeavors
Currently, Mirna is focusing on expanding the reach of the Nutrition Department at Marble Medical Center by integrating more advanced
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