Nutrition & Health

Question 1

What is the difference between macro and micro nutrients?

Answer 1

Macro
= bulk of our diet
= lipids/carbs/proteins/alcohols

Micro
= only require tiny daily amounts
= vitamins/minerals/amino acids/fatty acids

Question 2

How is the requirement for a nutrient usually defined?

Answer 2

The amount needed to prevent deficiency (usually a bit more to account for times of reduced intake).

Question 3

Who determines what a nutrients level of requirement is?

Answer 3

1) COMA = Committee of Medical Aspects of food policy.

2) UK DoH via dietary reference values (DRV).

Question 4

What are dietary reference values subdivided into?

Answer 4

1) Estimated Average Requirement (EAR)
2) Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI)
3) Lower Reference Nutrient Intake (LRNI) (NOT IMPORTANT)

Question 5

What is meant by the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR)?

Answer 5

A value for a nutrient whereby 50% of the populations requirement is met.

Question 6

What is meant by Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI)?

Answer 6

It is X2 standard deviations away from the mean and therefore it is the amount required for 95% of the populations requirements are met.

Question 7

What is meant by the safe value?

Answer 7

When EAR and RNI are not calculable the safe level is used, which is the amount judged to be enough for everyone but below a level where undesired effects are displayed.

Question 8

How are values like EAR and RNI calculated?

Answer 8

Intakes are measured of certain numbers of people:

1) without deficiency
2) with deficiency
3) the intake required in people to cure deficiency