Nutritionists use ideas from molecular biology, biochemistry, and genetics to understand how nutrients affect the human body.
Nutrition also focuses on how people can use dietary choices to reduce the risk of disease, what happens if a person has too much or too little of a nutrient, and how allergies work.
Nutrients provide nourishment. Proteins, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and water are all nutrients. If people do not have the right balance of nutrients in their diet, their risk of developing certain health conditions increases.
This article will explain the different nutrients a person needs and why. It will also look at the role of the dietitian and the nutritionist.
Macronutrients
Consuming the right balance of nutrients can help maintain a healthful lifestyle.
Macronutrients are nutrients that people need in relatively large quantities.
Carbohydrates
Sugar, starch, and fiber are types of carbohydrates.
Sugars are simple carbs. The body quickly breaks down and absorbs sugars and processed starch. They can provide rapid energy, but they do not leave a person feeling full. They can also cause a spike in blood sugar levels. Frequent sugar spikes increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and its complications.
Fiber is also a carbohydrate. The body breaks down some types of fiber and uses them for energ; others are metabolized by gut bacteria, while other types pass through the body.
Fiber and unprocessed starch are complex carbs. It takes the body some time to break down and absorb complex carbs. After eating fiber, a person will feel full for longer. Fiber may also reduce the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and colorectal cancer. Complex carbs are a more healthful choice than sugars and refined carbs.
Learn more here about fiber.
Proteins
Proteins consist of amino acids, which are organic compounds that occur naturally.
There are 20 amino acids. Some of these are essentialTrusted Source, which means people need to obtain them from food. The body can make the others.
Some foods provide complete protein, which means they contain all the essential amino acids the body needs. Other foods contain various combinations of amino acids.
Most plant-based foods do not contain complete protein, so a person who follows a vegan diet needs to eat a range of foods throughout the day that provides the essential amino acids.
Learn more here about protein.
Fats
Fats are essential for:
lubricating joints
helping organs produce hormones
enabling the body to absorb certain vitamins
reducing inflammation
preserving brain health
Too much fat can lead to obesity, high cholesterol, liver disease, and other health problems.
However, the type of fat a person eats makes a difference. Unsaturated fats, such as olive oil, are more healthful than saturated fats, which tend to come from animals.
In this article, learn more about the different types of fats and where to find them.
Water
The adult human body is up to 60% water, and it
THE ARTISANAL SALT OF SAN VICENTE, ILOCOS SUR: A CASE STUDY
jyothi importantcredit seminar nutrition.pdf
1. IMPORTANCE OF
NUTRITION IN HUMAN
LIFE
PRESENTED BY:
B.JYOTHIRMAI
Id.no: 221AG010007
M.Sc. II YEAR
Food Science and Technology
CHAIRMAN :
Mrs. V. V. TEJASWINI
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
Dept of Agricultural Engineering,
SOAS, School of Agricultural sciences,
Malla Reddy University.
2. Importance of nutrition
People need certain nutrients on a regular basis to maintain health and prevent
disease.
❑ Nutrition is the study of the nutrients in food and how they nourish the body
❑ Nutrients are components of food that are needed for the body to function
❑ Restaurant and foodservice professionals need to understand the nutritional
needs of their customers
3. Carbohydrates
❑ Carbohydrates are the body’s main-energy source. They help the body use
protein and fat efficiently.
❑ Simple carbohydrates contain one or two sugars. They are digested and
absorbed quickly and provide a short burst of energy:
◦ Glucose is a very important simple sugar. It is the primary source of energy.
◦ Hormones are special chemical messengers made by bodies that regulate
different body functions.
❑Complex carbohydrates contain long chains that include many glucose
molecules.
4. lipids
Lipids is another word for fat. Lipids are a group of molecules that include fats,
oils, waxes, steroids, and other compounds
◦ Fat is an essential nutrient with many functions.
◦ Fats are solid at room temperature and often come from animals. Oils are
liquid at room temperature
◦ Essential fatty acids are required for good nutrition.
◦ Oxidation is a chemical process that causes unsaturated fats to spoil.
◦ Cholesterol is a white, waxy substance that helps the body carry out its many
processes
◦ Trans fatty acids are the result of taking a liquid fat and making it solid.
5. Proteins
❑Proteins are another class of nutrients that supply energy to the body. They are
needed to build new cells and repair injured ones.
❑Amino acids are chemical compounds that have special functions in the body:
◦ Complete proteins are called complete because they contain all the essential
amino acids in the right amount.
◦ Incomplete proteins lack one or more of the essential amino acids.
◦ Complementary proteins are two or more incomplete protein sources that
together provide adequate amounts of all the essential amino acids.
6. Vitamins and minerals
❑Vitamins and minerals help in growth, reproduction, and the operation and
maintenance of the body.
❑Without the right amounts of vitamins and minerals, people may become
deficient and develop deficiency-related diseases.
❑Vitamins are chemical compounds found in food. They’re needed for
regulating metabolic processes, such as digestion, and the absorption of nutrients.
❑Minerals are classified as major or trace, according to how much is needed in
the diet.
7. Water
❑Water is an essential nutrient. It is essential to all forms of life.
❑About 55 to 65 percent of the human body is water by weight. Cells, tissues,
and organs need water to function.
Water has many important roles:
◦ Helping with the digestion, absorption, and transportation of nutrients.
◦ Helping with the elimination of wastes through the kidneys, colon, and lungs.
◦ Distributing heat throughout the body and allowing heat to be released through
the skin by evaporation (sweating).
◦ Lubricating joints and cushioning body tissues.
8. Digestive system
Digestion is the process of breaking down food into its simplest parts so that it
can be absorbed:
◦ Digestion begins in the mouth.
◦ The teeth grind food into smaller pieces and mix it with saliva.
◦ As the digestive system sends the nutrients to parts of the body to be used, the
wastes of digestion are sent to the large intestine.
9. Importance of dietary fiber
▪ Promotes feeling of fullness after eating
▪ Beneficial for weight loss/maintenance
▪ Helps prevent Diverticulosis
▪ Reduces blood cholesterol levels
▪ Reduces heart disease and stroke
▪ Slows digestion and absorption of CHO
▪ Improves body’s handling of insulin and glucose
▪ May reduce risk of colon cancer
10. Types of proteins in body
▪ Enzymes
▪ Hormones
▪ Antibodies
▪ Cell Receptors
▪ Transporters
▪ Structural Components
11. Role of proteins in body
▪ Supports growth and maintenance
▪ Builds enzymes, hormones, antibodies
▪ Maintains fluid and electrolyte balance
▪ Maintains acid-base balance
▪ Provides energy
12. Protein foods
▪ Meat, Poultry, Fish
▪ Cheese, Cottage cheese
▪ Nuts
▪ Peanut Butter
▪ Eggs
▪ Soy products such as Tofu
13. Reference
Kielmann AA, Taylor CE, Parker RL. The Narangwal Nutrition Study: a summary review. American
Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2012