Types of Nutrients
– Nutrients are substances used by organisms to survive, grow, and reproduce.
– They can be incorporated into cells for metabolic purposes or excreted to create non-cellular structures.
– Essential nutrients for animals include energy sources, amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, and certain minerals.
– Plants require diverse minerals, carbon dioxide, and oxygen.
– Fungi obtain nutrients from their host.
Macronutrients
– Macronutrients are consumed in large quantities and provide energy.
– Carbohydrates are classified based on the number of sugar units.
– Proteins consist of amino acids joined by peptide bonds.
– Fats are glycerin molecules with attached fatty acids.
– Ethanol, although not essential, provides calories.
Micronutrients
– Micronutrients are essential dietary elements required in varying quantities.
– Dietary minerals, such as copper and iron, are required in microgram or milligram amounts.
– Vitamins are organic compounds required in microgram or milligram amounts.
– Micronutrients serve metabolic and physiological functions.
– They are obtained from plants or edible animal sources.
Essentiality of Nutrients
– Essential nutrients are required for normal physiological function and cannot be synthesized in sufficient quantities.
– Apart from water, essential nutrients are indispensable for cellular processes and tissue function.
– Essential nutrients for humans include amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and choline.
– There are also conditionally essential nutrients for specific developmental and pathological states.
– Essential nutrients are crucial for the maintenance and function of tissues and organs.
Specific Nutrients
– Amino acids are essential for protein synthesis and various metabolic processes.
– There are nine essential amino acids that cannot be synthesized by the body.
– Essential amino acids must be obtained from the diet.
– Fatty acids that humans must ingest for good health include alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3) and linoleic acid (omega-6).
– Humans require thirteen vitamins in their diet, including vitamins A, C, D, E, K, and B vitamins.
– Essential nutrient trace elements for humans include potassium, chloride, sodium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese, copper, iodine, chromium, molybdenum, and selenium.
– Choline is an essential nutrient belonging to the cholines class, and deficiency can lead to fatty liver and muscle damage.
– Inositol, taurine, arginine, glutamine, and nucleotides are conditionally essential for humans.
– Different government organizations have different recommendations for nutrient intake to avoid deficiency or toxicity.
– Plants absorb carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen from air and soil, and other nutrients are absorbed from the soil.
– There are 17 important nutrients for plants, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, sulfur, and magnesium.
– Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen are essential macronutrients for all organisms, and other essential micronutrients for plants include iron, boron, chlorine, manganese, zinc, copper, molybdenum, and nickel.
– Nutrients are essential for the body to function properly, and they play various roles in the body, including energy production, growth and development, and maintenance of bodily functions.
– Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin with antioxidant properties.
– Choline is an essential nutrient that plays a role in brain development, nerve function, and metabolism.
– A high-fiber diet is beneficial for digestive health and overall wellbeing.
– Phytochemicals are natural compounds found in plants that have potential health benefits. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nutrient
