Nutrition is the biological and physical process by which an organism uses energy to support its daily life. It involves absorption, assimilation, production, secretion, metabolism and disposal. Nutrient absorption refers to how an organisms nutrient material is absorbed into the bloodstream. A nutrient is any material capable of penetrating the cell wall of a cell for complete utilization. Nutrient assimilation refers to how an organisms nutrient material is absorbed into the bloodstream from the digestive system. Nutrient production refers to how an organism’s food is made up of molecules and enzymes that are used to break down food for daily living.
The first topic we will look at in the nutrition studies is food choices and nutrition. A food choice is simply any food that an individual eats on a daily basis. An individual can eat a variety of foods to meet their nutrition needs. Examples of food choices include; protein sources, vegetables, fruits, milk products, fats sources such as oil and butter, carbohydrates sources like breads, cereals, snacks and legumes.
The second topic we will look at in the nutrition studies is heart disease. Heart disease is one of the biggest health concerns of our time. This disease mainly affects adults over the age of fifty, but it can also affect children. One of the most important causes of heart disease is nutritional deficiencies. If these deficiencies are not addressed, then there is a high risk of developing heart disease.
The third topic we will look at is essential nutrients or those substances that cannot be created by the body. An essential nutrient is any substance required for the development and maintenance of life. Some of the most important essential nutrients are; Iron, Vitamin A, Vitamin B-12, Vitamin C, Folic Acid, Zinc, Omega-3 fatty acids, Copper, Selenium, and Choline. These substances cannot be manufactured and must be obtained from an appropriate diet. Some examples of these nutritional substances are; Vitamin E, Calcium, Folic Acid, Potassium, Sodium, Chlorine, Magnesium, and Aspartate.
The fourth topic we will cover in this article is proper intake of calorie intake every day. A registered dietitian is well trained to address the question of what a person needs to eat every day to maintain healthy nutrition. They have a detailed chart that breaks down what a person needs in terms of calories per day based on their height and age.
Nutrition is also discussed in terms of its main function. The first main function of Nutrition is to provide the body with the adequate quantity of the essential nutrients. The second main function of Nutrition is to maintain the normal function of the body in terms of growth, development, maintenance and repair. The third main function of Nutrition is to provide the body with the right quantity of minerals, vitamins and other substances required for the proper functioning of the body cells. These are all addressed by registered dietitians.
One of the best sources of vitamins and minerals is fruits and vegetables. This is true to all types of diets. A person does not require the consumption of huge quantities of meat and other fatty foods to obtain the required minerals and vitamins. In fact, the majority of people in the world do not consume these foods in massive quantities. Only a small percentage of the world’s population consumes large quantities of meats and other fatty foods.
The final topic we will cover in this article is what nutrients should be avoided. Unsaturated fats are considered unhealthy and they are actually known to cause obesity. Foods high in calories should also be avoided as they can cause obesity and a number of other health issues. It is best to consume foods that contain a reasonable amount of unsaturated fats, but they can be included in moderation.
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