What Are Nutrients

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Video: What Are Nutrients

Video: What Are Nutrients
Video: What Are Nutrients - What Is Nutrient Density - What Are Nutrient Dense Foods? 2024, December
What Are Nutrients
What Are Nutrients
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It is hardly necessary to substantiate the statement that food is vital for every living being - despite the periodically appearing information about sunbathing on the net. Everyone responsible for their health is already well aware of the importance of a varied, balanced diet.

But do we think about what exactly food is? With food, a person takes in many different substances - and almost every one of them has its role. Even metabolically inert substances such as fiber and cellulose are especially useful for intestinal peristalsis. But what gives us energy, what keeps us healthy and gives us body building material are

nutrients - substances without which we can not.

For humans and most animals, these are carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals and water. And the last place of the water in the row is conditional - in fact, without everything else we would last much longer than without water!

What are nutrients?

What are nutrients
What are nutrients

Photo: Sevda Andreeva

These are organic and inorganic chemical compounds, without which the existence of our familiar life is impossible. Proteins, fats, vitamins and carbohydrates are organic, while water and minerals are inorganic. Both groups are equally important for life processes. In this context, organic means that matter contains carbon in its structure - the basis of life on our planet.

The marketing label of organic food is something completely different - food free of chemicals. For example. Except for organic and inorganic nutrients are divided by another feature -

macronutrients and micronutrients

What are nutrients
What are nutrients

Macronutrients are substances that the body needs in large quantities at short intervals. Such are proteins, fats, carbohydrates and water. In case of systemic deficiency of one or more of these elements the general functioning of the body is disturbed and preconditions for diseases arise - which is easily explained, taking into account the role of macronutrients:

- supply the body with the necessary calories and energy;

- have a major role in building and maintaining muscles and tissues;

- have a major role in maintaining a normal body temperature;

- ensure the proper functioning of the cells;

- help the synthesis of enzymes and hormones;

- provide conditions for preservation of the useful intestinal microflora.

Micronutrients are substances that the body requires in smaller quantities and retains for longer than food. These are vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytochemicals - and it can be said that if macronutrients feed the body, then micronutrients feed the individual cells. The role of micronutrients for the well-being of the body is no less important:

What are nutrients
What are nutrients

- support various organs and systems (vitamin A for vision, vitamin D for bones, etc.);

- participate in the synthesis of enzymes and hormones, without which the development and functioning of the body is impossible;

- have a major role in metabolic processes, especially at the cellular level.

Curious deviations from the scheme are calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, sulfur and sodium chloride. In essence, these substances are minerals, which ranks them in micronutrients, but the body needs them in larger quantities, so they are often classified as macronutrients.

Micronutrient deficiencies are a common consequence of a monotonous, unbalanced and poor quality menu - which inevitably has implications for overall health. The good news is that normal levels can be easily restored both with proper nutrition and by taking the necessary supplements.

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