CNN - Different types of Nutrients

Question 1

What is the relationship between cells, tissues and organs?

Answer 1

Organs are made out of tissues which are made up of millions of cells

Question 2

What is the term used to describe the boundary that surrounds each cell?

Answer 2

Cell membrane

Question 3

List the Macro nutrients?

Answer 3

Proteins, carbohydrates and fats

Question 4

List the Micronutrients?

Answer 4

Vitamins, minerals and trace minerals

Question 5

What is the principle use for carbohydrates within the body?

Answer 5

Energy

Question 6

What two ingredients does the body combine to make energy within the cells?

Answer 6

Glucose and Oxygen

Question 7

What happens to blood sugar levels after a meal?

Answer 7

Blood sugar levels rise.

Question 8

How does the body store excess blood sugar for short term use?

Answer 8

Any excess glucose will be converted to glycogen and stored in the liver. When blood sugar drops, glycogen will be converted into glucose and released into the blood, raising the blood sugar to the required level

Question 9

Carbohydrates consist of chains of sugar molecules of varying length. Inside the body they are broken down to form what simple sugar?

Answer 9

Glucose

Question 10

How does the body store excess blood sugar for long term use?

Answer 10

Once glycogen levels in the liver are full, the body will convert excess sugar in the blood to fat. This is why excess sugar makes us fat.

Question 11

Define metabolic rate?

Answer 11

The rate of biochemical reactions within your body – what you eat and how active you are!

Question 12

What impact does stress and stimulants have on blood sugar levels?

Answer 12

Stress – adrenal glands secrete lots of glucose to deal with stress
Stimulants - quickly elevate blood sugar

Question 13

Explain why stress can lead to weight gain?

Answer 13

Neither situation requires sugar and rather than converting it back to glycogen to be stored in the liver, the body converts it into fat, which in turn leads to weight gain!

Question 14

Where do we get proteins from?

Answer 14

Animals: meat, fish, eggs, milk and dairy products
Plants: grains, fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds

Question 15

What are protein molecules made from?

Answer 15

Amino acids

Question 16

How do cells know how to build proteins?

Answer 16

Genes (within DNA) determine the composition and order of amino acids in a protein chain

Question 17

What gives a protein its function?

Answer 17

The sequence of amino acids and its 3d shape determines its function

Question 18

How many amino acids are there in human nutrition?

Answer 18

20

Question 19

What is meant by the term essential amino acid?

Answer 19

Our body cannot make these amino acids and must get them from our diet in our diet together with sufficient vitamins and minerals

Question 20

What is meant by the term “non-essential amino acid”?

Answer 20

Our body can make these amino acids provided we have enough of the essential amino acids in our diet together with sufficient vitamins and minerals

Question 21

Putting aside individual/ethical beliefs, why is it important to eat protein from animal sources?

Answer 21

Animal protein is complete protein i.e. contains all of the essential amino acids in approximately the right proportion for our body’s requirements

Question 22

What is meant by the term “complete proteins”? What foods contain them?

Answer 22

Complete proteins contain all of the essential amino acids in approximately the right proportions for our body’s requirements.
Food sources include: Animal - meat, fish, eggs, milk and dairy products.

Question 23

What is meant by the term “incomplete proteins”? What foods contain them?

Answer 23

Incomplete proteins contain some of all the essential amino acids and a variety of these proteins must be included in the diet to access all the essential amino acids
Food sources include: Plant – grains, fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds

Question 24

What foods contain fats?

Answer 24

Both animal and plant foods

Question 25

Name four functions that the body uses fats for?

Answer 25

1. Make hormones
2. Make brain and nerve tissue
3. Make up the cell membranes
4. Uptake and utilization of essential vitamins and minerals
5. Composition and functioning of healthy skin
6. Cushion vital organs

Question 26

List, What are considered to be the bad fats”?

Answer 26

Trans fats and saturated fats

Question 27

List what are considered to be the beneficial fats”?

Answer 27

Mono and poly-unsaturated fats and essential fatty acids

Question 28

Why are fatty acids ideal for the construction of cell membranes?

Answer 28

The waterproof molecules line up together side by side to form a waterproof jacket that holds in the cell contents. There are channels in this membrane made of protein channels responsible for transport of nutrients into the cell and metabolic waste out of the cell

Question 29

List the “essential fatty acids and state why they are essential?

Answer 29

Omega 3 (LNA) and Omega 6 (LA) are both essential as the body is unable to synthesize them. They are essential for a multitude of structural and biological processes throughout the body e.g.
Omega 3 - CV health, allergic reactivity, immune response, hormone regulation, intelligence and behaviour
Omega 6 -

Question 30

Why is Omega 9“non- essential”?

Answer 30

The body can manufacture a modest amount on its own, provided that the essential fatty acids (omega 3 and 6) are present

Question 31

What is meant by the term “fatty acid imbalance”?

Answer 31

Omega 3 and 6 need to be present in equal concentrations within the body tissues as they balance each other. Fatty acid imbalance occurs when this balance is disturbed – typically because Omega 6 is too high.

Question 32

Why is fatty acid imbalance common in Western society?

Answer 32

In the past, the human diet included a 1:1 ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 fatty acids. A typical Western diet ranges from 10/1 to 20/1 due to the increase in commercial manufacture of seed and nut oils, grain fed animals and processed foods which are high in Omega 6.

Question 33

Name several symptoms of fatty acid imbalance?

Answer 33

When levels of Omega 6 far exceed Omega 3, inflammation symptoms can develop including cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, arthritis and auto-immunity.

Question 34

Name the two forms of cholesterol found within the body? Explain what they do?

Answer 34

HDL cholesterol helps to lower levels of LDL by draining fats away from the vascular system towards the liver.
LDL cholesterol delivers cholesterol to the cells where it is used in the cell membranes or for the synthesis of steroid hormones

Question 35

What organ is responsible for the digestion of fats and the production of cholesterol?

Answer 35

Liver

Question 36

Why is cholesterol important to our health?

Answer 36

Many hormones are built from cholesterol and are essential to the healthy functioning of our bodies.

Question 37

What factors increase cholesterol levels with the body?

Answer 37

Dehydration resulting from tea, coffee, alcohol, stress and lack of water

Question 38

Explain why diets that exclude fats or proteins are detrimental to human health?

Answer 38

Probably lacking all of the essential amino acids

Probably creating a fatty acid imbalance

Question 39

Why is it important to limit the intake of refined carbohydrates with the diet?

Answer 39

Refined grains are dehydrating to the body due to their denatured composition.

Question 40

Why are high protein diets detrimental to health?

Answer 40

The body is required to breakdown all the protein in the digestive system, and in excess means the body needs to work very hard, also placing strain on the liver and kidneys because of the production and elimination of higher levels of urea and other solutes as a result of protein digestion.

Question 41

Why is Krill oil so beneficial?

Answer 41

Most of our dietary omega 3 comes in the form of tri-glycerides - fish oils and plant oils. The body must convert tri-glycerides into phospholipids before it can use them. Krill oil contains omega 3 as a phospholipid, making it easier to use, particularly if you are aged or have a sluggish liver.