Nutrition is the relationship of food to health Essay Example
Nutrition is the relationship of food to health Essay Example

Nutrition is the relationship of food to health Essay Example

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  • Pages: 6 (1407 words)
  • Published: March 29, 2019
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Proper nutrition is essential for optimal bodily function. It is crucial to understand that overall health and well-being cannot be achieved through a single nutrient or activity. However, certain nutrients have greater significance in this regard. When combined with exercise, all nutrients are vital for maintaining good health. There are six main types of nutrients that contribute to overall bodily well-being.

The human body needs a balanced combination of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and water to function properly. These essential nutrients can be obtained from five main food groups: fats and oils, fruits and vegetables, dairy products, grains, and meats.

Exercise is essential for proper nutrition as it aids in strengthening and maintaining muscles, while also supporting organ health. It is important to acknowledge that solely following a healthy diet cannot achieve optimal nutritio

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n and a strong body, just as exercising alone cannot without proper nutrition. Therefore, regularly participating in physical activity while adhering to a nutritious diet is vital. Furthermore, engaging in various sports can be beneficial as they target different areas of the body. Carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are crucial sources of energy for the body.

Calories are a measure of the energy content found in various substances. Fat has a calorie count of nine per gram, while proteins and carbohydrates both have approximately four calories per gram. Carbohydrates play an essential role in providing energy to the body, primarily utilized for muscle movement and food digestion.

Carbohydrates are found in grains, fruits, vegetables, and other foods grown on the ground. When digested, they provide immediate energy which results in a quick rise in blood sugar levels followed by a drop that the body interprets as

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a need for more sugars. Low blood sugar can cause fatigue, dizziness, nervousness, and headaches. However, it is important to note that not all carbohydrates produce these effects.

Fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains generally have a slow digestion rate. On the other hand, fats (or lipids) provide the highest concentration of energy compared to carbohydrates or proteins. Moreover, fats serve as carriers for fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. Furthermore, fats aid in the absorption of vitamin D to ensure calcium availability for various body tissues like bones and teeth.

Another function of fat is its participation in the conversion of carotene into vitamin A and its role in providing support for organ placement by creating a protective layer. Additionally, fat aids in regulating body temperature and providing warmth by encompassing the body with a layer. Furthermore, it helps to slow down digestive processes, thus extending food digestion.

Fats, found in meats, nuts, oils, and fats, are important for maintaining overall health within the body. Meanwhile, proteins and water are essential components that play a crucial role in the growth and development of all body tissues by acting as the main building material.

Protein is crucial for hormone synthesis and maintaining body hydration levels. During digestion, proteins are broken down into amino acids. It should be noted that not all proteins have all the essential amino acids. However, meat and dairy products typically provide the required amino acids.

Proteins can be found in both plants and animals, but animal proteins are preferred because they are complete. It is important to have a thorough knowledge of nutrients and their roles in order to understand the importance of proper nutrition.

The six nutrients, including vitamins, are organic substances that can only be obtained from living organisms like plants and animals.

Approximately twenty substances known as vitamins are essential for human nutrition, playing a crucial role in the growth and development of the body. While some vitamins can be produced internally, most must be obtained from external sources. Vitamins act as catalysts to enhance metabolic processes, although they do not provide energy. Furthermore, while vitamins do not directly construct tissues, they contribute to their formation.

Assessing the vitamin requirements of individuals is challenging due to several factors, including age, gender, body size, genetic makeup, and physical activity. To offer dependable guidance in this matter, the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) serves as a valuable resource. The RDA determines its recommendations by studying nutrient intake and may indicate the dietary size they are founded upon, like a daily diet of two thousand calories.

Consuming excessive amounts of most vitamins is generally safe, but certain vitamins can become toxic in large quantities. Vitamin A, which is a fat-soluble vitamin, exists in two forms: pre-formed and naturally occurring in animal tissue.

The second compound, carotene, is abundant in carrots and other vegetables. Animals can convert it into Vitamin A. This vitamin is essential for the growth and healing of body tissues and helps maintain healthy skin. It also protects the mucus membranes of the mouth, nose, throat, and lungs from infections and defends against harmful air pollutants.

Both Vitamin A and the B complex vitamins are necessary for different bodily functions. Vitamin A helps to maintain and safeguard the lining of the digestive tract, as well as aiding in gastric juice secretion. In

contrast, the various types of B complex vitamins can be acquired from sources like bacteria, yeast, fungi, or molds and are water-soluble. These vitamins play a vital part in converting carbohydrates into glucose and supporting protein and fat metabolism.

B vitamins are essential for the health of different body parts such as nerves, GI tract, skin, hair, eyes, mouth, liver, and muscle tone. The production of vitamin B by intestinal bacteria can be affected by the consumption of milk or the use of sulfonamides or antibiotics. Whole grains contain a high amount of B complex vitamins.

The government's intervention has led to an increase in B vitamin levels in enriched bread and cereal products, ensuring that the population receives sufficient amounts of these vitamins. Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that is highly vulnerable to oxygen and lacks stability compared to other vitamins. One important role of vitamin C is maintaining collagen levels, which is vital for skin, ligament, and bone development. Moreover, it helps with the healing of burns and wounds by promoting scar tissue formation. Additionally, it aids in the production of red blood cells and prevents bleeding.

The text discusses the function of preventing scurvy, a disease that sailors used to suffer from due to a lack of vitamin C. To combat this problem, each sailor was provided with a daily lime containing citric acid and vitamin C. Additional sources of vitamin C include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, strawberries, oranges, and grapefruits.

Conversely, vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin made up of compounds known as Tocopherols. Alpha Tocopherol is regarded as the most potent form among the seven forms of vitamin E.

Tocopherols

are present at their highest levels in cold-pressed vegetable oils, as well as in all whole raw seeds and nuts, and soybeans. Vitamin E is crucial for cellular respiration in all muscles, particularly the cardiac and skeletal muscles. It enhances the efficiency and endurance of these muscles by improving their capacity to function with reduced oxygen. Additionally, it serves as an antioxidant to prevent oxidation.

The prevention of toxic compound formation happens when saturated fatty compounds do not break down and combine. Minerals, which can be found in the body and in organic and inorganic combinations, are vital nutrients in human nutrition. Around seventeen minerals are necessary for optimal health. Although minerals constitute only a small portion of body weight (about four or five percent), they have a significant impact on promoting overall mental and physical well-being. Minerals exist in different quantities in all bodily tissues and fluids.

Minerals play a vital role in multiple bodily functions and processes, such as muscle function, biological reactions, hormone production, and maintaining water balance and blood pH. When under stress, mineral levels can decrease. A lack of minerals can lead to illness but can be addressed by including the deficient mineral in the diet. Calcium, an essential mineral, can be acquired from dairy products.

To ensure overall body health, it is vital to consume protein-rich foods, as well as seeds, grains, nuts, greens, and moderate amounts of salt or salty foods in order to obtain all other minerals. However, it is important to recognize that good nutrition alone is not enough. Regular exercise and emotional well-being are also crucial for maintaining a healthy body. It should be noted that no single

aspect of nutrition can fully fulfill the body's health requirements.

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