The following factors are known to affect the amount of nutrients needed by man:
1. Age: The overall quantity of nutrients needed is higher for adults than for children
2. The state of health: Sick people may need certain kinds of nutrients than others. For example they need more vitamins and proteins for quick recovery
3. The type of lifestyle or job one does: People who lead active lifestyles need more carbohydrates to be able to sustain such lifestyle. However, people with sedentary lifestyles need to regulate the amount of nutrients they take in to prevent overweight and its complications
Whenever we are not able to obtain the required nutrients in sufficient quantiites, we suffer from malnutrition. The common symptoms of malnutrition are the following:
- Emanciation and loss of weight
- Nutritional diseasaes
-Low resistance to diseases and infections
- slow growth rate
Monday, September 15, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
The Need for Nutritional Supplements
Have you ever expressed any of these sentiments?
-That almost all wellness deiciencies are part of the normal aging process, therefore there is nothing one can do about it.
-That all nutrients we need are obtained from our average daily intake, therefore supplementation is a waste of money.
The truth about our current food situation, according to experts, is that we are not getting enough of the nutrients that are needed for maintaining excellent health. This is because most of what we eat are over-processed, which make them lose their nutrients, particularly the vitamins. In the hope of obtaining enough nutrients therefore, we eat too much. The estimate is that about 60% of the world ppulation is over-weight, which brings in its own problems.
It is true that aging is a natural process in man, but the process is usually accelerated if the body is not able to obtain enough of the required nutrients as discussed in previous postings. The body cells are damaged faster while new ones are formed slowly. For this reason, the body parts begin to lose their functions.
To slow down the aging process therefore, it is important for us to eat foods that are rich in nutrients, and that are as natural as possible. If this goal cannot be immediately achieved, there may be need for nutritional supplements that are formulated to provide the body with enough nutrients while preventing over-eating.
Apart from being natural and being able to supply the required nutrients, supplements have the added advantage of being cheap.
-That almost all wellness deiciencies are part of the normal aging process, therefore there is nothing one can do about it.
-That all nutrients we need are obtained from our average daily intake, therefore supplementation is a waste of money.
The truth about our current food situation, according to experts, is that we are not getting enough of the nutrients that are needed for maintaining excellent health. This is because most of what we eat are over-processed, which make them lose their nutrients, particularly the vitamins. In the hope of obtaining enough nutrients therefore, we eat too much. The estimate is that about 60% of the world ppulation is over-weight, which brings in its own problems.
It is true that aging is a natural process in man, but the process is usually accelerated if the body is not able to obtain enough of the required nutrients as discussed in previous postings. The body cells are damaged faster while new ones are formed slowly. For this reason, the body parts begin to lose their functions.
To slow down the aging process therefore, it is important for us to eat foods that are rich in nutrients, and that are as natural as possible. If this goal cannot be immediately achieved, there may be need for nutritional supplements that are formulated to provide the body with enough nutrients while preventing over-eating.
Apart from being natural and being able to supply the required nutrients, supplements have the added advantage of being cheap.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Nutrients concluded
VITAMINS
These are organic substances obtained from food. They are grouped either as water soluble vitamins or the fat soluble vitamins. The fat soluble vitamins are vitamins A, D, E AND K.while the rest are water soluble vtamins.
The vitamins generally help the body organs to function very well.
MINERALS
This is the inorganic component of foods.These are the compounds of essential elements such as iron, phosphorus, etc. Each of these elements play significant roles in the body
These are organic substances obtained from food. They are grouped either as water soluble vitamins or the fat soluble vitamins. The fat soluble vitamins are vitamins A, D, E AND K.while the rest are water soluble vtamins.
The vitamins generally help the body organs to function very well.
MINERALS
This is the inorganic component of foods.These are the compounds of essential elements such as iron, phosphorus, etc. Each of these elements play significant roles in the body
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
NUTRIENTS CONTINUED
PROTEINS
Proteins contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Proteins are made up of aminoacids. Each unit of amino acids has an amino group and a carboxylic group. Some of these amino acids are essential because the body cannot synthesize them, the rest of the amino acids are readily synthesized by the body.
Proteins perform many important functions in the body some of which are:
1. They are neded to manufacture new tissues and to replace worn out tissues
2. They are needed for enzymes and hormones secretion
3. Pregnant women need proteins to build up the foetus and the foetal membrane
4. Excess protein is broken down and the amino acids are deaminated to be used as souce of energy
FATS AND OILS
These nutrients are made up of fatty acids and glycerols. The only difference between these two nutrients is that fats are solids at room temperature while oils are liquids.
Fats and oils perform the following functions in the body:
1. They are oxidized to yield energy
2. Some fatty acids such as linolenic acid and arachidonic acids are essential for the development of smooth skin and glossy hair
3. Some fat containing compounds called phospholipids are essential component of cell membranes
4 They function as solvent for the fat soluble vitamins
5. Fats help in insulation and conservation of body heat.
Proteins contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Proteins are made up of aminoacids. Each unit of amino acids has an amino group and a carboxylic group. Some of these amino acids are essential because the body cannot synthesize them, the rest of the amino acids are readily synthesized by the body.
Proteins perform many important functions in the body some of which are:
1. They are neded to manufacture new tissues and to replace worn out tissues
2. They are needed for enzymes and hormones secretion
3. Pregnant women need proteins to build up the foetus and the foetal membrane
4. Excess protein is broken down and the amino acids are deaminated to be used as souce of energy
FATS AND OILS
These nutrients are made up of fatty acids and glycerols. The only difference between these two nutrients is that fats are solids at room temperature while oils are liquids.
Fats and oils perform the following functions in the body:
1. They are oxidized to yield energy
2. Some fatty acids such as linolenic acid and arachidonic acids are essential for the development of smooth skin and glossy hair
3. Some fat containing compounds called phospholipids are essential component of cell membranes
4 They function as solvent for the fat soluble vitamins
5. Fats help in insulation and conservation of body heat.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
