Types Of Nutrients

Question 1

Sodium (functions)

Answer 1

• Iron is a component of haemoglobin, the substance which gives red blood cells their colour
• Haemoglobin is required to transport oxygen around the body to every cell so that we do not
feel tired and eventually become anaemic
• Needed to form red cells in the blood

Question 2

Sodium (impact on health)

Answer 2

Too much:
Short term : body is able to make red blood cells
Long term: reduced risk of anaemia
Too little:
Short term : tiredness, pale skin, breathlessness
Long term: anaemia

Question 3

Energy (functions)

Answer 3

It is important that the amount of energy from food you eat is equal to the amount your body requires for activity. If you eat more food than you require then excess energy from the food will be stored as fat, resulting I weight gain and obesity.
Rich sources of energy food products include those that are high in carbohydrate, fats and proteins.
If you don’t eat enough food to meet your energy needs you become tired and lacking in energy.

Question 4

Energy (impact on health)

Answer 4

Too much:
Short term : lots of energy but if not used up then
will lead to weight gain
Long term: obesity and CHD
Too little:
Short term : tiredness, lethargy, unable to take part
in activities
Long term: lose weight

Question 5

Folic acid (functions)

Answer 5

• Essential for the formation of blood cells
• Helps protect against neural tube defects such as spina bifida in unborn babies so women are
advised to eat folate-rich foods before planning a pregnancy and for the first 12 weeks of
pregnancy
• Required for the release of energy from food

Question 6

Folic acid (impact on health)

Answer 6

Too much:
Short term : lots of energy but if not
used up then will lead to obesity
Long term: prevention of neural tube defect (spina bifida) in unborn babies
Too little:

Short term : tiredness, lethargy, unable to take part in activities
Long term: spina bifida in unborn babies

Question 7

Vitamin A (functions)

Answer 7

• Required to make visual purple which assists with good vision – particularly in dim light
Required to keep the mucous membranes in the eyes, lungs, throat and digestive tract moist
and free from
• One of the antioxidant vitamins that helps to prevent cancer and heart disease

Question 8

Vitamin A (effect on health)

Answer 8

Too much:
Short term : can be dangerous in pregnancy and lead to birth defects (Spina Bifida)
Good vision in dim light
Long term: decreased risk of CHD and cancer as is an ACE Vitamin
Too little:
Short term : poor vision in dim light (Nightblindness)
Long term: increased risk of CHD and cancer as is an ACE vitamin