Nutrition Flashcards
definition of NUTRITION
- a BASIC COMPONENT OF HEALTH
- important for NORMAL GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
- TISSUE MAINTENANCE & REPAIR
- ORGAN FUNCTION
medical nutrition therapy (MNT)
- use of NUTRITION THERAPY & COUNSELING to manage diseases
what are our NUTRIENTS? (6)
the BIOCHEMICAL UNITS OF NUTRITION
- CARBOHYDRATES
- PROTEINS
- FATS
- WATER
- VITAMINS (fat or water-soluble)
- MINERALS
definition of DIGESTION
the MECHANICAL BREAKDOWN that results from CHEWING, CHURNING, & MIXING OF FLUID
- reduction of food into its SIMPLEST FORM
absorption–how do we absorb nutrients?
absorption of the NUTRIENTS; through
- PASSIVE DIFFUSION
- OSMOSIS
- ACTIVE TRANSPORT
- PINOCYTOSIS
passive diffusion
particles moving OUTWARD from greater conc. to lesser conc.
- DOES NOT NEED CARRIER
osmosis
movement of water through a semipermeable membrane through diff. conc.
- wants to EQUALIZE THE CONCENTRATIONS
active transport
- opposite of passive diffusion
- needs ENERGY
pinocytosis
the ENGULFING of LARGE MOLECULES by absorbing cell
metabolism/storage of nutrients
all of the BIOCHEMICAL REACTIONS within the cells of the body
- ANABOLISM
- CATABOLISM
elimination
- CHYME movement into the ILEOCECAL VALVE within the LARGE INTESTINE
- conversion into FECES
carbs
- the MAIN SOURCE OF ENERGY in our diet
- the MAIN SOURCE OF FUEL (glucose)
- made from units of SACCHARIDES
protein
provides ENERGY and very important for growth, maintenance, and repair
- can be SIMPLE, COMPLEX, INCOMPLETE
ex. albumin or insulin
ex. beef, poultry, milk, cheese
ex. grains, legumes, seeds, veggies
fats
- the most CALORIE-DENSE NUTRIENT - gives around 9 kcal per gram
- made up of TRIGLYCERIDES + FATTY ACIDS
- can be classified as either SATURATED (each carbon has 2 attached hydrogens) or UNSATURATED
water
- essential due to its function within CELLS and its FLUID ENVIRONMENT
- makes up 60 - 70% of total body weight
vitamins
- organic substances present in small amounts in food that are essential to NORMAL METABOLISM
- type of CHEMICALS that act as CATALYSTS in biochemical reactions
antioxidants
- seen in certain vitamins; helps to neutralize free radicals
- can cause oxidative damage, increase risk of cancer
fat-soluble vitamins
- VITAMIN A, D, E, & K
- have a HIGH STORAGE CAPACITY for these vitamins
water-soluble vitamins
- VITAMIN C, B COMPLEX
- body DOES NOT store these vitamins
- absorbed easily in GI TRACT
minerals
- type of INORGANIC ELEMENTS that are helpful as catalysts in biochemical reactions
- classified as MACROMINERALS (100 mg <) or MICROMINERALS/TRACE ELEMENTS (<100 mg)
- MACROMINERALS
- help to balance our pH and acid-base balance
- MICROMINERALS:
- minimal reactions and interaction; can cause deficiency of other fellow trace element
dietary reference intakes (DRIs)
Acceptable range of
quantities of vitamins and
minerals for each gender
and age group
what is needed in our DAILY VALUES?
- PROTEIN
- VITAMINS
- FATS
- CHOLESTEROL
- CARBS
- FIBER
- SODIUM
- POTASSIUM
what are factors that INFLUENCE NUTRITION?
- ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
- DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS
describe developmental needs of various age groups
INFANTS - SCHOOL AGE;
- need breastfeeding & intro to solids
- taking around 6 months
ADOLESCENTS:
- peer influences & growth spurts
- sports & activities
YOUNG & MIDDLE ADULTS
- pregnancy (folic acid - avoid neural tube defects)
- lactation (500 kcal-day)
OLDER ADULTS
- change in taste and perceptions
- changes in incomes, health & transport
factors to consider during NUTRITION ASSESSMENT
- observation of NUTRITIONAL HISTORY
- asking their preferences in food, values, and expectations
- LABS and tests
- diet/health history
- physical exam
- dysphagia
what are some COMMON LAB TESTS?
- looks at nutritional status of;
- plasma proteins (amt. of protein in blood)
- albumin - 21 days (protein helps with fluid retention)
- hemoglobin (protein in RBC - oxygen carrier)
- prealbumin - 2 days
- retinol-binding protein - 12 hours (measures amt of vitamin A)
describe ENTERAL TUBE FEEDING
- providing nutrients DIRECTLY INTO GI TRACT
- use of ENTERAL ACCESS TUBES
what are the RISKS OF TUBE FEEDING?
**risk of ASIPRATION
- position patient in upright position
- need RESIDUAL; comparing food prescribed
describe PARENTERAL NUTRITION
- nutrients provided via IV
- used for patients that cannot digest/absorb enteral nutrition
- use of X-RAY CONFIRMATION
some guidelines for enteral feeding
- use ASPETIC TECHNIQUE
- label equipment
- use proper connector
- trace all lines
- patient sitting upright
body mass index
- measures the WEIGHT CORRECTED for HEIGHT; serves as alternative to traditional height-weight relationships
- CALCULATE;
- divide patient’s weight by height^2
- CALCULATE;
