Nutrition Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Nutrition - Essay ExampleThe Six Classes of Essential Nutrients Proteins, carbohydrates, weewee, lipids, minerals, and vitamins atomic number 18 the key intrinsic nutrients for the homophile organic structure. Proteins carbohydrates, water, and lipids be classified as macronutrients, while minerals and vitamins are classified as micronutrients (1). Insel et al, 2011, p.230, define proteins as large molecules made up of amino-acids joined in various sequences. Thus various kinds of proteins are present in the human dead body in various shapes. Based on their shapes the several kinds of proteins have specific roles within the human body. Some of them are enzymes, and speed up the many chemical re act asions within the body essential to its survival. Some others act as hormones. Hormones may be viewed as chemical messengers within the human body. provided other hormones go into the makeup of the antibodies of the human body to protect the human body from foreign substances and pa thogens. Some other proteins act as pumps within the body to maintain fluid balance. In this balance maintaining process they pump molecules across cell membranes and attract water. The acid base balance in the body is hold by the action of proteins through the taking up or releasing of total heat ions, depending on the need. Finally, proteins act as transporters for many key substances like type O and the micronutrients to the targeted cells all over the human body. The essential nature of proteins to the human body is thus clear (2). Insel et al, 2011, p.146, define carbohydrates as organic compounds that contain carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) in the ratio of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom for every carbon atom. The main role of carbohydrates in the body is to act as a fuel for the cells in the human body. Even though the human body can use gamys also for energy purposes, carbohydrates are the like source of energy, particularly for the brain, red blood cells , nervous system, fetus, and placenta. Carbohydrates also contain fibres that make it easier for the passage of stools through the digestive system (2). Water is absolutely essential for the survival of the human body. The water content in the human body is responsible for up to 75% of the weight of the human body. The importance of water to the human body lies in it being a very good solute. In the human body water carries several dissolved minerals in the form of electrolytes. These electrolytes are maintained at a constant balance. The very existence of cells in the human body depends on the maintenance of the right balance of these electrolytes in water (2). Insel et al, 2011, p.182, describe lipids as a broad range of organic molecules that dissolve easily in organic solvents like alcohol, ether, and acetone, but are much slight soluble in water. Three main types make up the lipids, which are triglycerides, phospholipids, and sterols. Lipids are an energy source for the body a nd when stored in the body as fat act as energy reserves in the body for use when there is a deprivation of carbohydrate supplies to the body (2). Ball 2004, p. 8, defines vitamins as a group of organic compounds which are essential in very small amounts for the normal functioning of the body. Vitamins as required for nutrition in the human body are thirteen in number and classifies into water soluble vitamins and fat soluble vitamins. The water soluble vit