Intro to Nutrition Flashcards
What is EAR?
Estimated Average Requirement
Half the population usually needs more than this, and half usually needs less
What is LRNI?
Lower Reference Nutrient Intake
Sufficient for the few people who have low needs, but not meeting the needs of 97.5% of the population (2 standard deviations below the EAR)
What is RNI?
Reference Nutrient Intake
Sufficient for about 97.5% of people (2 standard deviations above the EAR). If the average intake of a population is at RNI, the risk of deficiency is very small
What is safe intake?
Range for which there is not enough information to estimate RNI, EAR or LRNI. Sufficient for almost everyone, but not so large as to cause undesirable effects.
What is key to maintaining a healthy weight?
Energy balance
Energy intake = energy expenditure
What does energy expenditure depend on?
- Basic metabolic rate (depends on age, weight & sex)
* Amount and intensity of physical activity
What are macronutrients?
Fats, carbohydrates and proteins
Can protein be stored? What happens in starvation?
No storage of protein, but in starvation muscle tissue can be metabolised for energy or to provide amino acids for other reactions
Can excess carbs and fats be stored?
Excess carbohydrates and fats can be stored. Can be used immediately for energy generation
What is the body’s main source of energy?
Fat stores are main source of energy (80-90%)
How much protein does an average adult require a day?
Around 0.75g per kg per day (75kg man requires about 50g protein/day)
How much protein is an athlete/body builder recommended?
1.2-1.7 g per kg per day
What is the nitrogen balance in a healthy adult?
Nitrogen intake = nitrogen excretion
What is a negative nitrogen balance? When does it occur?
Intake < excretion
Occurs during fasting/illness – body breaking down proteins for energy
What is a positive nitrogen balance? When does it occur?
Intake > excretion
Occurs during growth, pregnancy – body is building new tissue
What 9 amino acids cannot be synthesised by humans? How are they obtained?
Many Very Happy Little Pigs Take Iced Lemon Tea (MVHLPTILT)
o Methionine o Valine o Histidine o Leucine o Phenylalanine o Tryptophan o Isoleucine o Lysine o Threonine
Must be obtained from diet
What is triacylglyercol?
A triglyceride (TG, triacylglycerol, TAG, or triacylglyceride) is an ester derived from glycerol and three fatty acids
The main constituents of body fat in humans and other vertebrates, as well as vegetable fat.
How many calories does 1g of fat compared to 1g of carb/protein provide?
Fat –> 9kcal
Carb/protein –> 4kcal
What is adipose tissue? What is its role?
Adipose tissue, or fat, is an anatomical term for loose connective tissue composed of adipocytes. Its main role is to store energy in the form of fat, although it also protects vital organs and gives our body and face their shape.
Adipose tissue can store an unlimited amount of fat.
What are the different fatty acids that triacylglycerols contain?
- Saturated
- Mono-unsaturated
- Polyunsaturated
- Trans (hydrogenated)
Describe saturated fatty acids
No double bonds, found in meat and dairy
Describe mono-unsaturated fatty acids
One double bond, found in olive and peanut oil
Describe polyunsaturated fatty acids
More than 1 double bond, found in corn and sunflower oil
Describe trans (hydrogenated) fatty acids
Trans double bonds, found in cakes, biscuits, pastry
What are the recommended % of dietary energy intake for fat types?
Saturated - 11%
Mono - 12%
Poly - 6%
Trans - <2%
Total fat <35% (30% desirable)
Which fatty acids can the body not synthesise?
Omega 6 and omega 3
What are the types of carbohydrates?
- Polysaccharides – mainly starch
- Disaccharides – mainly sucrose
- Monosaccharides – mainly glucose and fructose
- Non-starch polysaccharide (dietary fibre)