Essential Nutrients and Vitamins - Essay Example

Essential Nutrients Question Foods with carbohydrates are used as sources of energy in the body. Theenergy is used all body cells. However, the energy is mostly used by the central nervous system, red blood cells and the brain. Basically, carbohydrates are energy giving foods. Proteins are referred to as body building foods. There are useful in the development of body muscle, skin, hair and nails. There are significant in the formation and development of organ tissues and formation of bacteria fighting antibodies. They provide a secondary source of energy. There are 13 forms of vitamins required for the body. Each vitamin has different functions in the body. Vitamin B helps in releasing energy from ingested food. There are also required in the synthesis of RNA and DNA. Vitamin C is mostly important in the development of bones, teeth and gums. Vitamin D is also used in bone development. Vitamin E functions as an antioxidant. Vitamin K enables blood clotting. Lipids enable the transportation and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. They provide cushion and insulation for vital body organs. They also maintain cell membranes and act as sources of energy. Water forms about 60% of our body weight. It enables the maintenance of body temperature, blood pressure and blood volume. In addition, it provides moisture for moth, eyes and nose tissues. Helps to avoid constipation, enables muscle functions and lubricates joints. Fibers and indigested forms of carbohydrates. They enable normal bowel movements and decrease the risks of constipation, colon cancer and hemorrhoids. They increase the excretion of cholesterol thus minimizing risks of heart disease and obesity. Question 2 1 Gram of Water= 0 Kalcs 1 Gram of Proteins= 4 Kalcs 1 Gram of Carbohydrates= 4 Kalcs 1 Gram of Vitamins= 0 Kalcs 1 Gram of Lipid= 9 Kalcs 1 Gram of Fiber= 0 Kalcs Question 3 Vitamins are classified as either fat-soluble or water-soluble vitamins. Water soluble vitamins are not stored in the body. After they are ingested they have the ability to dissolve in water. They are then taken in the blood stream. The body is able to incorporate the amount it requires at the time and the excess is excreted in urine. Water soluble vitamins are all vitamins B and Vitamin C. they can be obtained from grains, vegetables and fruits. Fat soluble vitamins are vitamins that are stored in the body. After ingestion they are dissolved in fat. After ingestion the body uses the required vitamins and the rest is stored and used when required in future. The excess is excreted as stool. The main sources of fat soluble vitamins are oily fish, liver, animal fats, butter, vegetable oil and dairy products. Question 4 In the body, 45% to 65% of the total calories are carbohydrates. A daily caloric level should be maintained should be maintained at a daily concentration of 1800 calories. This translated to 202-292 grams of carbohydrates daily. A high fat intake is classified to be above 35% while a low intake is below 20% of ones calories. A person should have a 10% calories of saturated fats. To ensure the level is maintained, a person is required to ingest not more than 300 mg daily. The daily caloric intake of proteins varies in regards to age, weight and sex. A man above 19 years and below 30 years requires 56 grams. A woman at the same age bracket requires 46 grams. Question 5 The creation of saturated and unsaturated fats is different. Saturated fats are perceived to be unhealthy for the heart. Its chemical structure is entirely saturated by hydrogen atoms. In addition, they do not have double bonds between its carbon atoms. Ingestion of saturated fats raised the level of LDL cholesterol. Sources of saturated fats are processed foods, pastries, meat, dairy products and chips. Unsaturated fats are in liquid from at room temperature. Different from saturated fats, its chemical structure has double bonds in its carbon atoms. In consumption lower LDL cholesterol and consequently raises HDL cholesterol. They can be obtained from olives, nuts and Avocados. Question 6 Cholesterol composition in the blood is carried attached to lipoproteins proteins. There are in two forms HDL and LDL. LDL is low density lipoprotein. They are unhealthy since they are less protective. They are referred to as bad cholesterol doe to their unhealthy nature. HDL are high density lipoproteins. They are highly protective and referred to as good cholesterol. Triglycerides are forms of fat found in the blood. After eating the body transforms the calories it does not requires into triglycerides. There are stored in fat cells. There are later released for energy use between meals. Consequently, if a person ingests more calories than they use they may have a high concentration of triglycerides which is unhealthy. A normal concentration of triglycerides is less than 150 milligrams/deciliter. Question 7 From numerous studies, the daily consumption of water is determined by the active level of a person, health, location among other numerous factors. However, under normal condition an average adult male requires 3 liters of water daily. Women are required to consume 2.2 liters daily. On average and applicable to all people, the minimum consumption of water should be 1.9 liters daily. It is required for a woman to take 25 grams and a man to take grams of fiber on a daily basis. Question 8 Grains- 6-8 daily servings Vegetables 4-5 daily servings Fruits 4-5 daily servings Fat free or low fat milk products- 2-3 daily servings Poultry, seafood or lean meat- maximum of 6 oz. daily. Fats and oils- 2-3 daily servings Seeds, legumes and nuts- 4-5 weekly servings Added sugars and sweets- maximum of 5 weekly servings Question 9 Nutrients dense foods are products that highly nutritious but have a low caloric concentration. They can be obtained from fruits, vegetables, lean meat, poultry, seafood and whole meal grains. Question 10 A complete protein is a meal that has a source of protein that consist of proportional levels of the all nine essential amino acids required for the human diet. Protein derived from animal food are complete proteins. In addition protein from plants are whole proteins. Question 11 Macro minerals are required at a high amounts in the body. They are calcium chlorine, sodium, sulfur, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus. There are mainly provided by meat and dairy products. Micro mineral are require in low amounts in the body. They are iron, copper, cobalt, iodine, zinc, manganese, selenium, cobalt, fluorine, chromium and molybdenum. They can be obtained from meat, dairy products, water, yeast, nuts, grains and vegetables. Read More