Nutrition Flashcards
nutrient
a substance obtained from food that is used by the body.
essential nutrient
substance that MUST be obtained from food
body cannot synthesize it
or cannot synthesize in sufficient quantities
or supplements
supplements were not explicitly mentioned on notes, so pay attention to multiple choice options
what happens if essential nutrients not taken
adverse effects on health
adverse effects may disappear when essential nutrient is taken
” unless permanent damage already taken place
6 classes of essential nutrients
vitamins
minerals
carbohydrates
lipids
proteins
water
micronutrients
vitamins and minerals
required in small amounts by the body
present in small amounts in the body
not broken down for energy
role of micronutrients
structural role (some)
regulatory role (most)
macronutrients
carbohydrates, lipids, proteins
required in large amounts in body
present in large amounts in body
can be broken down in body
macronutrients – structural or regulatory roles?
can have structural/regulatory roles
nutrition research
uses scientific/academic research methodologies to obtain information about nutrition
important to replicate findings
important for peer review of findings
what to check for when evaluating nutritional information
evidence from various studies
peer reviewed info
studies replicated
where is reliable information about nutrition found?
peer reviewed journals
registered dieticians
volunteer organizations, non-profit societies
Health Canada
NIH (US)
government sources
beware of…
sales pitch
claims that sound too good to be true
(extreme claims)
Dietary reference intakes
based on scientific research on nutrient requirements
intended for use by people in health professions (NOT THE PUBLIC)
requirements for Dietary Reference Intakes depend on the following variables:
age
gender
genetics
pregnant? lactating?
environment
current diet
E.g. # calories
other requirement variables
are there current deficiencies?
establish/maximize tissue stores?
decrease chronic disease risk?
what happens during deficiency of a micronutrient? What are the steps?
Lack in diet leads to
–> decrease in tissue stores, which leads to
–> biochemical changes, which leads to
–> clinical/anatomical changes, which leads to
–> death
DRI (Dietary Reference Intake) is applicable to
applies to already healthy people
specific based on gender & age
intended to be met by food, not supplements
already adequate intake of other nutrients is expected
categories of dietary reference intakes
DRI for most nutrients
vs.
DRI for energy and macronutrients
subcategories of Dietary Reference Intakes (subcategories under DRI for nutrients)
Estimated Average Requirement (EAR)
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)
Adequate Intake (AI)
Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL)
subcategories of Dietary Reference Intake (under DRI for energy & macronutrients)
Estimated Energy Requirement (EER)
Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR)
Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) – DRI for nutrients
meets the needs of 50% of healthy people
specific to age/gender
applies to groups of people
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) – DRI for nutrients
meets the needs of most healthy people (98% of healthy people)
RDA is based on EAR, so only set for nutrients with EARs established
used for individuals
Adequate Intake (AI) – DRI for nutrients
estimate that will maintain health
set when there is not enough evidence to establish EAR/RDA
used for individuals