1. Nutrition
Nutrition, nourishment, or aliment, is the supply of materials - food -
required by organisms and cells to stay alive. In science and human
medicine, nutrition is the science or practice of consuming and utilizing
foods.
A nutrient is a source of nourishment, an ingredient in a food, e.g.
protein, carbohydrate, fat, vitamin, mineral, fiber and water.
Macronutrients are nutrients we need in relatively large quantities.
Micronutrients are nutrients we need in relatively small quantities.
The Role of Nutrients in the Body*
• ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS:
In addition to supplying energy and raw materials for metabolism, a
person's diet must also supply certain substances in a preassembled form.
Nutrients a human requires but cannot make are known as "Essential
Nutrients". Missing just one of these Essential Nutrients puts the body into a
state of being malnourished.
• ESSENTIAL AMINO ACIDS:
There are 20 Amino Acids required to make proteins, some can be
created by the body while others cannot be, these are known as Essential
Amino Acids. Eight to nine are essential for humans (nine for infants). It is
important to note that while eight Amino Acids are considered Essential
Amino Acids all twenty are needed by the Human body. When the human
body is deficient in one or more of the Essential Amino Acids the result is a
form of malnutrition known as "Protein Deficiency."
• ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS:

2. Essential fatty acids are lipids that must be in the diet in a prefabricated
form and that cannot be created by the body. These essential fatty acids are
required to make some of the phospholipids found in membranes required
by the body in relatively large amounts compared to Vitamins.
• VITAMINS:
Vitamins are organic molecules that often serve as co-enzymes or parts
of co-enzymes and therefore have catalytic functions. Vitamins are required
in relatively small amounts compared to Amino Acids, Proteins, and Essential
Fatty Acids, but are absolutely essential in a healthful diet. Deficiencies can
cause severe syndromes. Vitamins are grouped into two compounds: water-
soluble vitamins and fat-soluble vitamins. Water-soluble Vitamins include the
B complex, which consists of many compounds that generally function as
coenzymes in key metabolic roles. Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is
another example of a water-soluble vitamin. Ascorbic Acid is required for the
production of connective tissue. Excess water-soluble vitamins are generally
excreted with the urine (now known as having expensive urine) and mild
overdoses are generally thought to be harmless.
The fat-soluble vitamins are A, D, E, and K. Vitamin A is incorporated
into visual pigments of the eye. Vitamin D aids in Calcium absorption and
bone formation. Vitamin E is an antioxidant and it seems to play a key role
in protecting the phospholipids in the vitamins are stored by the body so
intake of fat soluble vitamins should be monitored more closely.
HERE ARE MORE VITAMIN ROLES IN THE BODY:
Coenzyme in the removal of Carbon
B1
Dioxide.

3. Constituent of two coenzymes involved in
B2
energy metabolism.
Constituent of two coenzymes involved in
Niacin
oxidation reduction reactions.
Coenzyme involved in amino acid
B6
metabolism.
Coenzyme in Carbon transfer in nucleic acid
Folic Acid
and amino acid metabolism.
Coenzyme in carbon transfer in nucleic acid
B12
metabolism; maturation of red blood cells.
Coenzyme in fat synthesis, amino acid
Biotin
metabolism, glycogen formation.
Vitamin C Maintains intercellular matrix of cartilage,
ascorbic bone, and dentin. Important in collagen
acid synthesis.
Constituent of visual pigment; maintenance
Vitamin A
of epithelial tissues.
Promotes bone growth, mineralization;
Vitamin D
increases calcium absorption.
Vitamin E Functions as an antioxidant, protects cell
tocopherol membranes.
Important in blood clotting, involved in
Vitamin K
formation of active Prothrombin.
• MINERALS:

4. As with vitamins, mineral requirements vary. Humans as well as other
vertebrates require relatively large quantities of Calcium and Phosphorus for
the construction and maintenance of bone. Calcium is also necessary for the
normal functioning of nerves and muscles, and Phosphorus is also a
necessary component of ATP and nucleic acids. Iron is an important
component of the cytochromes that function in cellular respiration and of
hemoglobin, the oxygen-binding protein of red blood cells. Magnesium,
manganese, zinc, and cobalt are cofactors built into the structure of certain
enzymes. Iodine is necessary to make thyroxine, a thyroid hormone that
regulates metabolic rate. Sodium, potassium, and chlorine are important in
nerve function. A healthful diet must supply enough calories for energy
needs, carbon chains, organic nitrogen, and ample quantities of the essential
nutrients.
HERE ARE MORE MINERAL ROLES IN THE BODY:
Bone and tooth formation; blood clotting;
Calcium
nerve transmission.
Bone and tooth formation; acid-base
Phosphorous
balance; ATP formation.
Constituent of tissue compounds,
Sulfur
Cartilage, and tendons.
Potassium Acid-base balance; nerve function.
Formation of gastric juice; acid-base
Chlorine
balance.
Acid Base balance; body water balance;
Sodium
nerve function.
Magnesium Activates enzymes; involved in protein

5. synthesis.
Constituent of hemoglobin and enzymes
Iron
involved inenergy metabolism.
Flourine May be important in maintenance of bone
structure
Constituent of enzymes involved in
Zinc
digestion.
Constituent of enzymes associated with
Copper
iron metabolism.
Activates several enzymes, including one
Manganese
required for urea production
Iodine Constituent of thyroid hormones.
Cobalt Constituent of vitamin B-12.