The word nutrition first appeared in 1551 and comes from the Latin word nutrire, meaning “to nourish.” Today, we define nutrition as the sum of all processes involved in how organisms obtain nutrients, metabolize them, and use them to support all of life’s processes.
A nutrient is a chemical substance that comes from the food you eat. The energy you need for the metabolic processes in your body and for maintaining a constant internal environment comes from these nutrients. So if you think about all the basic reactions going on in your body to keep you breathing, your heart beating, your brain working and allowing you to move about, they all derive their energy from nutrients.
A nutrient is a chemical substance that comes from the food you eat. The energy you need for the metabolic processes in your body and for maintaining a constant internal environment comes from these nutrients. So if you think about all the basic reactions going on in your body to keep you breathing, your heart beating, your brain working and allowing you to move about, they all derive their energy from nutrients.
These essential nutrients are divided into two types, micronutrients and macronutrients. "Micro" is a Greek word for small and "macro" is a Greek word for large. This division is based on the quantity of a nutrient the body needs.
Macronutrients include carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. They are called macronutrients as they are required in large amounts to fuel the body. Micronutrients include vitamins and minerals. Unlike macronutrients, these are required in very minute amounts. Together, they are extremely important for the normal functioning of the body. Their main function is to enable the many chemical reactions to occur in the body.
Macronutrients include carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. They are called macronutrients as they are required in large amounts to fuel the body. Micronutrients include vitamins and minerals. Unlike macronutrients, these are required in very minute amounts. Together, they are extremely important for the normal functioning of the body. Their main function is to enable the many chemical reactions to occur in the body.
Energy is required in order to build molecules into larger macromolecules, and to turn macromolecules into organelles and cells, and then turn those into tissues, organs, and organ systems, and finally into an organism. Proper nutrition provides the necessary nutrients to make the energy that supports life’s processes. Your body builds new macromolecules from the nutrients in food.
There are 6 essential nutrients that our body need. These nutrients are necessary for the body to function properly. The six essential nutrients include protein, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, Lipids (fat) and water.
There are 6 essential nutrients that our body need. These nutrients are necessary for the body to function properly. The six essential nutrients include protein, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, Lipids (fat) and water.
However, on the hand there is Phytonutrient or phytochemical. Phytonutrients are "powerhouse fighters" since they appear to promote health by sparking body processes that fight or slow down the development of diseases.
Phytonutrients provide plants with protection from the environmental challenges they face, such damage from ultraviolet light, and, when we consume plants rich in phytonutrients, they appear to provide humans with protection as well. Investigating the ways in which phytonutrients provide this protection is one of the most exciting areas in nutrition research today, and recent findings are providing science-based explanations as to how plant foods support our health and wellness.
The array of phytochemicals offered by plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, legumes and micro algae like spirulina further supports the fact that these foods can make important contributions to our health. Although they are officially considered "non-essential nutrients," meaning that their intake is not necessary for survival, phytochemicals seem to truly be essential for the sustenance of a good life, one full of health and abundant energy. Hopefully, one day as the accepted nutrition paradigm changes from preventing outright deficiencies to one that emphasizes that foods can help prevent disease and promote longevity, the true importance of these phytonutrients will be recognized.
Phytonutrients provide plants with protection from the environmental challenges they face, such damage from ultraviolet light, and, when we consume plants rich in phytonutrients, they appear to provide humans with protection as well. Investigating the ways in which phytonutrients provide this protection is one of the most exciting areas in nutrition research today, and recent findings are providing science-based explanations as to how plant foods support our health and wellness.
The array of phytochemicals offered by plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, legumes and micro algae like spirulina further supports the fact that these foods can make important contributions to our health. Although they are officially considered "non-essential nutrients," meaning that their intake is not necessary for survival, phytochemicals seem to truly be essential for the sustenance of a good life, one full of health and abundant energy. Hopefully, one day as the accepted nutrition paradigm changes from preventing outright deficiencies to one that emphasizes that foods can help prevent disease and promote longevity, the true importance of these phytonutrients will be recognized.