Nutrition 101 Flashcards
What do proteins do?
They are essential for building & repairing tissues and support immune function; structure, function, and regulation of the body’s tissues and organs
Breakdown of carbs
Simple sugars, complex carbs, dietary fiber
What are fats
Dense energy source that support cell structure & function; otherwise known as lipids
Breakdown of fats
Saturated, unsaturated, and trans
What are micronutrients
Vitamins & minerals
Why are vitamins important
Vitamins are essential for various physiological processes & ATP production
What is ATP
Primary energy currency used by living organisms through the breakdown of glucose during cellular respiration; Essentially, this converts chemical energy from food into a usable form for cellular functions
Why are minerals important
Minerals are critical for maintaining fluid balance, nerve function, muscle contraction, hormonal health, bone health, and more
What is functional nutrition
Focuses on bio-individual factors like genetics, environmental exposures, & nutrient deficiencies
What is nutrient biochemistry
Study of nutrition that looks at the chemical properties of nutrients, nutritional constituents, and physiological functions
What are macronutrients
Carbs, fats, proteins
What are proteins
Long chains of amino acids
What key role do fats play
The synthesis of steroid hormones
Examples of steroid hormones
Cortisol, estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, aldosterone
What are carbs
Source of energy for the body; broken down into glucose molecules which produce ATP
