Introduction

• Nutrients are substances that are consumed by the body and are essential for life.
• Nutrients are divided into 3 types:
  • Water
  • Macronutrients
  • Micronutrients

Water

• An adult body is around 70% water
• The chemical reactions needed for life take place in water
• The body uses water as part of the system to regulate body temperature (e.g. sweating)
• It is the largest component of:
  • Cells
  • Blood
  • The fluid between cells
• It lubricates joints, eyes, mouth, and other structures
• Your kidneys use water to remove waste from your blood
• Water is a necessary part of the digestion process

Macronutrients

• Macronutrients are ingested by the body in the form of food and drink
• They are broken down by the digestive system into smaller molecules that can be absorbed
• They are divided into 3 types:
  • Carbohydrates
  • Lipids
  • Proteins
• Carbohydrates
  • Carbohydrates include:
    • Sugars
    • Starches
    • Fibers
  • They are often found in fruits, vegetables, grains, and milk products
• Lipids
  • Lipids include:
    • Fats
    • Oils
    • Other substances, such as hormones, and vitamins A, D, E and K
• Proteins
  • Proteins are formed of amino acids, which are the building blocks of the body
• Carbohydrates and lipids are called the "energy-yielding" nutrients because the body can use metabolic processes to convert them to ATP

Micronutrients

• Micronutrients include vitamins and minerals
• They participate in many essential chemical reactions
• Some micronutrients, such as calcium are used to create and maintain structures in the body
• Vitamins:
  • they are organic compounds
  • created by plants and animals
• Minerals:
  • inorganic compounds
  • originally found in soil and water