WHAT IS NUTRITION, AND WHY DOES IT MATTER?
What is nutrition and why is it important?
what is nutrient
According to the World Health Organization, nutrition is what is needed to live, grow and reproduce. In other words, nutrition is what gives us energy and allows our body to do its important work. Every organism in our world needs food; they are necessary for life! But, humans need special food, which we get from food and water.
Why do we need nutrient
Our bodies work hard every second of the day, performing many tasks at once. These processes are carried out by chemical compounds, many of which are produced in our bodies through chemical reactions. However, our body cannot produce all the compounds it needs, so we need to eat foods that contain the necessary elements. Essential nutrients are those nutrients that we cannot produce ourselves.
What are the different types of nutrients
There are two important types of nutrients: macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients include protein, carbohydrates, fat and water. Micronutrients include vitamins and minerals.
Macronutrients are consumed in large quantities and are essential for your body. There are 4 essential macronutrients: protein, carbohydrates, fat and water. They are very easy to get because many foods contain 4 macronutrients.
There are six main nutrients we get from our foods
1. Protein
- Protein is important for growth and development. They also help your body repair tissue, deliver oxygen, digest food, and regulate hormones. • Get protein from meat, legumes (beans, peas, lentils), nuts, seafood, and eggs
2. Carbohydrates
- Carbohydrates are used as a source of energy. When you eat foods that contain carbohydrates, your body breaks them down into “glucose” (blood sugar) that your cells use for energy.
- Get carbohydrates from pasta, bread, rice, potatoes, grains, fruits, milk, sugar
3. Lipids (also called fats)
- Fats are used to store energy, protect organs, support cell growth and help your body get nutrients.
- There are 2 types of fat: saturated (“bad”) and unsaturated (“good”). • Get unsaturated fats from oils, nuts, seeds, avocados, salmon
4. Vitamins
- B vitamins (there are 8 of them!) help with all kinds of things, from releasing energy from carbohydrates and fats to breaking down proteins and transporting oxygen and other substances through the body. • Vitamin A is important for vision, growth, cell division, reproduction and immunity.
- Vitamin C is necessary to form blood vessels, cartilage, tendons and collagen. It is also important for healing and helps your body absorb and store iron.
- Vitamin D is important for bone formation and formation and good health. • Vitamin K helps make proteins that are important for blood clotting and bone formation.
5. minerals
- Here are a few you may hear about:
- Potassium is used to help the kidneys, heart, muscles and nervous system work properly.
- Sodium helps nerves and muscles work and helps your body regulate water levels (so you don’t get bloated). • Calcium is used to build bones and teeth
- Phosphorus makes bones and teeth healthy and participates in DNA and RNA synthesis
- Magnesium supports muscle and muscle function and is used to produce energy
- Zinc helps the immune system and metabolism
- Iron is important for making red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body.
6. Water
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Water is essential for many bodily functions since the human body is about 60% water. It helps your body maintain a proper temperature, lubricates, protects your spine, and helps you eliminate waste through sweat, urination, and bowel movements.
Micronutrients
Micronutrients are microscopic! You can’t see them, and they are consumed in less than macronutrients. However, they are very important and deficiencies in some micronutrients can cause many health problems. Whole foods such as meat, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, eggs and milk are the best sources of micronutrients, so it is important to focus on these foods. .
There are two main types of micronutrients: vitamins and minerals.
1. Vitamins
There are 13 essential vitamins, each with its own unique function, that should be healthy. Many vitamins are antioxidants, which means they help prevent inflammation and disease. there are many important vitamins, such as vitamin K! Vitamin K plays an important role in building strong bones. There is also a lot of talk about vitamin C, which is very important for your blood system and immune system.
2. minerals
Minerals also help support the body, and they are important for your bone structure, nervous system, digestion, and even your heart! Minerals can be divided into two categories: macrominerals and trace elements. Macrominerals are needed in large quantities. For example, your body needs a lot of calcium to maintain bone health, and it also needs a lot of sodium and potassium to help your heart pump, your muscles move, and your nervous system. Minerals are needed in small amounts, but are still very important. For example, your body cannot transport oxygen to all your cells without iron!
