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
