Human Nutrition Flashcards
What is the function of carbohydrates?
Source of energy. E.g bread, cereal, pasta, rice and potatoes.
What is the function of a protein?
Growth and repair. E.g meat, fish, eggs ,pulses and nuts.
What is the function of a lipid?
Insulation and energy storage. E.g butter, oil and nuts.
What is the function of a dietary fibre?
Provides hulk (roughage) for the intestine to push food through it. E.g vegetables and whole grains.
What is the function of vitamins? E.g fruits and vegetables,meats and dairy products.
Needed in small quantities to maintain health.
What is the function of water in our diet.
Needed for chemical reactions that take place in cells. E.g water, juice, milk, fruits and vegetables.
What is the function of vitamin C and what is caused by vitamin C deficiency?
Forms an essential part of collagen protein, which makes up skin, hair, gums and bones. E.g citrus fruit, strawberries and green veggies.
Deficiency Causes scurvy :(
What is the function of vitamin D and what is caused by vitamin D deficiency?
Helps the body absorb calcium and so required for strong bones and teeth. E.g oily fish, eggs,liver, dairy products and natural sunlight.
Deficiency causes rickets- where bones become soft and deformed (this is because vitamin D is needed for the absorption of calcium into the body which is a key component to teeth and bones).
What is the function of calcium ?
Needed for string teeth and bones and involved in the clotting of blood. E.g milk, cheese and eggs.
Deficiency can cause osteoporosis later in life.
What is the function of iron and what happens when you have iron deficiency?
Needed to make haemoglobin, the pigment in red blood cells that transport oxygen. E.g red meat and leafy green veggies like spinach.
Deficiency can cause anemia - where there are not enough red blood cells so tissues do not get enough oxygen delivered to them (cause iron is a key component of haemoglobin)
What is the effect of starvation?
The body starts to break down energy stores - first fat and then muscle tissue, leading to severe weight loss and eventually damage the heart and immune system, increasing the risk of many diseases.
What is the effect caused by coronary heart disease?
Fat deposits build up in the arteries supplying the heart, reducing flow of blood to the heart muscle cells which do not work properly due to the lack of oxygen. Can ultimately lead to a heart attack and death.
What is the effect of constipation?
Food lacks bulk for muscles to push it through the alimentary canal and so risks of diseases such as bowel cancer are increased.
What are the effects of obesity?
Extra energy stored as fat, weight increases and contributes to development of many diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.
What is ingestion?
The taking in of substances, e.g food and drinks into the body through the mouth.
