Nutrients, Malnutrition & Balanced Diets Flashcards
What are Nutrients
Nutrients are substances required by the body to provide nourish so as to perform its basic functions such as growth and the maintenance of life.
What are carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are the body’s main source of energy. All carbohydrates contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. They also prevent protein from being used as an energy source carbohydrates come in two kinds: Simple and complex carbohydrates.
Simple carbohydrates (sugars)
These can provide a lot of energy for immediate use, but contain no
other useful nutrients. Complex carbohydrates (starches) These are good sources of energy.
What are protiens
Protein like carbohydrates contain
carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. The body uses protein to build and repair tissues.
Protein is an important building block of
bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and
blood. Protein is also use to make enzymes,
hormones, and other body chemicals a
such as antibodies, hemoglobin, hair
and nails
What are fats
Fats are also made of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen Fat is used for energy, but only when stores of carbohydrate run low. The main function of fats is for insulation against heat loss; constituent of cell membranes and some hormones. Fat contains more than twice as much energy as carbohydrates or proteins. However, lots of oxygen is required to release this energy. This means that energy can only be released slowly from fats.
What are MICRONUTRIENTS
Micronutrients, often referred to as
vitamins and minerals, are vital to
healthy development, disease
prevention, and wellbeing. Although
only required in small amounts,
micronutrients are not produced in the
body and must be derived from the
diet.
What are MACRONUTRIENTS
They are the nutrients you use in the largest amounts. Macronutrients are the nutritive components of food that the body needs for energy and to maintain the body’s structure and systems
Without vitamin A what happens?
You get NIGHT BLINDNESS, the eyes become cloudy and light cannot pass through well
Without vitamin D what happens?
You get RICKETS, the bones become soft, leg bones often bow outwards under pressure.
Without iron what happens?
You get ANAEMIA, red blood cells contain less haemoglobin so less oxygen is transported.
Without calcium what happens
Weak bones and teeth, also slow blood clotthing
Why is a Balanced diet good?
It provides sufficient energy for the body’s activities, that we cannot make ourselves.
What is anorexia nervosa and bulimia?
Physiological eating disorders which people choose to eat less or avoid absorbing the nutrients they require
How is Body mass index calculated
body mass (IN KG) over Height (squared, in metres)
People who are overweight may get what?
High blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, cancer
