What is Nutrition? Simply said,
Nutrition is the study of food at work in our bodies, our source for energy,
and the medium for which our nutrients can function. Think of nutrition as the
building blocks of life.
According to WHO: Nutrition is the intake of food, considered in
relation to the body’s dietary needs. Good nutrition – an adequate, well
balanced diet combined with regular physical activity – is a cornerstone of
good health. Poor nutrition can lead to reduced immunity, increased
susceptibility to disease, impaired physical and mental development, and
reduced productivity.
According to Wikipedia: Nutrition is the science that interprets the
interaction of nutrients and other substances in food in relation to
maintenance, growth, reproduction,
health and disease of an organism. It includes food intake, absorption,
assimilation, biosynthesis, catabolism and excretion.
Tasty, nutritional food adds
years to life and life to years. Nevertheless, the burden of disease associated
with poor nutrition continues to grow in the WHO European Region. Poor diet,
overweight and obesity contribute to a large proportion of non-communicable
diseases, including cardiovascular diseases and cancer, the two main killers in
the Region
What are the good nutrients?
A nutrient is a component in
foods that an organism uses to survive and grow. Methods of nutrient intake are
different for plants and animals. Plants take in nutrients directly from the
soil through their roots and from the atmosphere through their leaves. Animals
and protists have specialized digestive systems that work to break down
macronutrients for energy and utilize micronutrients for both metabolism and
anabolism (constructive synthesis) in the body. Let’s not get deeper into the
science of what is nutrient for the time being.
Nutrition is at work during our
entire life-cycle — from infancy to adolescence, adulthood and in our senior
years — and can be the antidote for many of today’s common problems, such as
stress, pollution, sexual vitality, and disease prevention.
Nutrition is just one key to
developing and maintaining good health. Good health is defined as a state of
complete physical, mental and social well-being — a healthy mind, body, and
spirit.
Nutrition is:
- · utilization of food to grow, repair and maintain our bodies;
- · getting the right amount of nutrients from healthy foods in the right combinations;
- · making smart choices about the foods you eat;
- · proper nutrition helps you develop and maintain good health;
- · a choice — choose good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle! Sign up for the newsletter and get free weekly Healthy Lifestyle recipes and tips.
The major types of Nutrients are:
Micro-nutrients and Macro-nutrients Macronutrients provide the bulk
energy an organism's metabolic system needs to function while micronutrients
provide the necessary cofactors for metabolism to be carried out. Both types of
nutrients can be acquired from the environment.
Micronutrients are used to build
and repair tissues and to regulate body processes while macronutrients are
converted to, and used for, energy. Methods of nutrient intake are different
for plants and animals. Plants take in nutrients directly from the soil through
their roots and from the atmosphere through their leaves. Animals and protists
have specialized digestive systems that work to break down macronutrients for
energy and utilize micronutrients for both metabolism and anabolism
(constructive synthesis) in the body.
Classification
of Nutrients based on specific action:
- · Substances which provide energy
- · Substances which support metabolism
- · Essential nutrients
- · Non-essential nutrients
Carbohydrate,
protein and fat are macronutrients that we need to eat in relatively large
amounts in
the diet as
they provide our bodies with energy and also the building blocks for growth and
maintenance of
a healthy body. Vitamins and minerals are micronutrients which are only needed
in
small amounts,
but are essential to keep us healthy. There are also some food components that
are
not strictly
‘nutrients’ but are important for health, such as water and fibre.
"Welcome to the
world of nutrition, where we will help you discover what is nutrition and its
role in your active and healthy lifestyle."
