NUTRITION

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Nutrition is a branch of biochemistry that is concerned with the components of food and the processes they undergo to supply the body with energy and nourishment. It quantitatively determines how much of these components or nutrients are contributed by what food and the effect of their deficiency, low or excess supply, on the body.

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These nutrients are classified into six groups, namely:

• Carbohydrates
• Protein
• Fats
• Vitamins
• Minerals salts
• Water.

Carbohydrates: carbohydrates are the main source of energy in the body. The Lord’s prayer, ‘’…gives us this our daily bread …’’ is a good testimony to the importance of carbohydrates in our life. Bread is indeed a carbohydrate.

There are different types of carbohydrates, such as sugars and cellulose. Sugars are found in several fruits such as oranges, apples, pineapples, bananas, grapes, strawberries, tomatoes, sugarcane etc. starch is found in yam, cassava, rice, sorghum, corn, guinea corn, coco-yam, plantain etc. cellulose is a form of carbohydrates, but unlike sugars and starch, it contributes little or no calories or nutrients to the body. It is mainly a source of dietary fibre (roughage) needed for proper functioning of the digestive system for the elimination of faecal matter. Cellulose is found mostly in vegetable and fruits.

Functions of Carbohydrates:

The functions of digestible carbohydrates like sugars and starch include:

1.      Provision of energy for basal metabolic and daily physical activities: Excess energy not immediately required is converted to fat and stored in the adipose tissues.  Obesity results when there is excess intake of carbohydrates resulting in 20% or more excess fat in the body.

2.      Protein Sparing: The presence of carbohydrates spares protein from being used to provide energy. During famine or starvation when there is no food or carbohydrates, the body then uses its own protein as a source of energy, leading to emaciation.

Carbohydrates are expected to contribute between 58-78% of the total energy need of the body.

3.      Proteins: Proteins are the main body building substances in our food. They are made up of smaller units called amino acids. Amino acids are divided into two categories: essential and non-essential. 

Essential amino acids cannot be synthesized in the body, hence they must be included in the diet. They include leucine, isoleucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, theronine, typtophan, valine and histidine.

Non—essential amino acids are those that can be synthesized in the body. They include alanine, arginine, asparagines, cysteine etc. Source of protein include fish, milk, eggs, Soya-beans, beans, snails, chicken, crab, beef, pork etc.

Functions of Proteins

·         Provision of material for growth and repair of body cells and tissues.

·         Synthesis of digestive enzymes, hormones, antibodies, haemoglobins.

·         Provision of energy. When there is not enough far or carbohydrates in the diet, or when fat stores are depleted usually during famine or starvation, protein is then used for the provision of energy.

·         When protein is taken in excess, the body is able to convert the excess protein into fat for storage in the adipose tissues.

Protein is expected to contribute between 10-15% of the total energy requirement of the body.

Fats (fats and oils): Fats and oils known as lipids. The difference is the fats are solids while oils are liquids at room temperature. They are the highest sources of energy for the body. Fats are into two groups, saturated and unsaturated.

Saturated fats are obtained mainly from animal products such as meat, lard, eggs, milk, cheese, butter and fish oils. However, fish oils contains less saturated Fats than meat, milk, egg and cheese. Animal fats also contain a large proportion of cholesterol, a compound frequently implicated in high pressure and heart diseases.

Unsaturated fats are obtained mainly from vegetable products such as vegetable oils (palm oil, Soya-bean oil, peanut oil, olive oil, linseed oil, maize oil etc) coconut oil, a vegetable oil, is an exception as it contain a high proportion of saturated.

Function of fats

·         Provision of energy. Fats provide the highest energy or calories to the body and are the main forms in which energy is stored in the adipose tissues.

·         They serve as solvents for fat-soluble vitamins like vitamins A,D,E and K.

·         They are important components of cell membranes, nerve sheaths and sebum.

·         They are present as subcutaneous layers (under the skin) where they act as insulators to reduce heat loss through the skin.

·         They act as support for certain body organs like the kidneys and the eyes.

Vitamins: vitamins are organic compounds required in very small quantities in our body for normal metabolism. They are not energy producing nutrients, inadequate intake of vitamins often leads to deficiency and ill health. For details about vitamins improver check details here

Vitamins are divided into two main groups: fat-soluble and water-soluble.

Fat Soluble Vitamins:

These include vitamin A, D, E and K.

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Water:

No water, no life. Water makes up about 70% of the body weight in men and about 60% in women. Thus a woman weighing 70 kg contains about 42 litres of water while a man weighing the same 70 kg has about 49 litres of Water. A large amount of water is lost in daily from the body through sweat, urine, and faeces. Excessive loss water, especially in severe vomiting and diarrhea, result in dehydration

Function of water:

·         For regulation of body temperature.

·         As a major constituent of blood and tissues fluid.

·         Makes chewing and moistening of food possible.

·         Makes speech possible and smooth. This is why dehydrated diabetic patients and public speakers require water to be able speak well.

Balanced Diet:

A diet is any selection of foods eaten by an individual. A balanced diet is any diet or a carefully selected diet, that contains all the nutrients. Required for energy, growth, repair of tissues and overall good health of the individual.

A balanced diet should contain between 58-75% carbohydrates, 10-15% protein and 15-30%fat, in addition to vitamins and minerals.

Whether you desire to gain and loss weight you must maintain a balanced diet. On other hand, eating small quantities of balanced diets once or two times a day may lead to weight loss.Managing Diabetes Find tips and tools to help you control your blood sugar, manage your weight, and make better food choices for a healthier life. Plus get savings and discounts on health products you use every day.sign up for free Newsletters

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