Importance of nutrition
- Get link
- X
- Other Apps
What is the meaning of nutrition and what is the importance of nutrition in human life?
Nutrition is the biological process in which animal and plant organisms absorb the nutrients necessary for life from food.
Nutrition is important because it is essential for the functioning and maintenance of the vital functions of living beings, it helps to maintain the homeostatic balance of the organism, both in macrosystemic processes, such as digestion or metabolism.
Likewise, human nutrition is the science that investigates the relationship between the food consumed by man and health (diseases), to seek well-being and the preservation of human health.
Nutrition is the biological process that occurs in a living being when its body absorbs, from food and liquids , the nutrients it needs for its growth and the development of vital functions. Through food , the body incorporates carbohydrates, vitamins , minerals, proteins and fats.
Definition of food : Food is the process by which we obtain, prepare and eat food, obtaining the nutrients that our body needs and that are essential for the fullness of our human life 1 .
Definition of nutrition : For its part, nutrition is defined as a set of processes involved in the obtaining, assimilation and metabolism of nutrients by the organism 1 .
What is nutrition?
Nutrition is the biological process that occurs in a living being when its body absorbs, from food and liquids , the nutrients it needs for its growth and the development of vital functions. Through food , the body incorporates carbohydrates, vitamins , minerals, proteins and fats.
Human beings consume different types of food and, after physical and chemical processes, the body incorporates the nutrients from these foods and transforms them into energy to carry out its main functions, such as movement , reproduction and growth . A good and varied diet helps the proper functioning of the body and, for this, different types of food that provide different nutrients must be included in the meals.
To maintain a healthy and balanced body it is important to know the types of nutrients that exist , regulate the amount of food that is ingested according to personal physical needs, perform physical activity and stay hydrated. With a good diet, many of the common diseases or propensities to develop a disease can be avoided or alleviated.
The term nutrition is also used to refer to the science that studies food and its relationship with human health. Nutrition studies the processes that allow the body to incorporate nutrients from food and takes into account variables such as the importance of a balanced diet, staying hydrated and regular physical exercise.
Consumption and use of food and nutrients by the body. Nutrition is a process in three phases: in the first, food or drinks are consumed, which are then broken down in the second to obtain nutrients; during the third, nutrients pass into the bloodstream and reach different parts of the body, where they are used as "fuel" and for other purposes. In order to get adequate nutrition for the body, people have to eat enough food and drink that contain essential nutrients.
Good nutrition prevents many chronic diseases, and is related to a healthy lifestyle.
Many health problems can be prevented through a healthy diet or diet that follows the proper proportions of each food.
The six classes of nutrients that the body needs daily are water, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
The nutrition professional is the nutritionist or dietitian, who is the one who specializes in human nutrition and has specialized studies on the subject. It is his responsibility to plan meals, develop menus, and manage people's food and nutrition programs.
Types of nutrition
autotrophic nutrition
Autotrophic nutrition is known as that used by autotrophic organisms, which are organisms that produce their own food, synthesizing the essential substances they need for their metabolism from inorganic substances, such as carbon dioxide.
There are different types of autotrophs, for example, the so-called chemolithotrophs, which are the bacteria that use the oxidation of inorganic compounds to produce energy, such as sulfur dioxide or ferrous compounds. Also, there are photolithoautotrophs, which are organisms that use photosynthesis, such as plants.
heterotrophic nutrition
As heterotrophic nutrition is designated that of heterotrophic organisms, which are beings that need others to live, that is, they feed on organic substances that are synthesized by other organisms.
We see examples of heterotrophic nutrition in fungi, animals and a multitude of bacteria and protozoa or protozoa, which manufacture complex organic molecules taking advantage of the energy of autotrophic beings that have been eaten.
There are different types of heterotrophic beings, which according to their nutrition, can be divided into four classes: holotrophic (food chain, carnivorous, herbivorous or phytophagous, and omnivorous), saprophagous (they feed on the dead), symbiotic, and parasitic.
WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF FOOD AND NUTRITION?
Healthy nutrition is essential for the prevention of diet-related risk factors, such as overweight and obesity, and associated non-communicable diseases. Consumption of foods and beverages high in critical nutrients (salt/sodium, sugar, saturated fat, and trans fat) has been associated with increased risk of diet-related risk factors and associated noncommunicable diseases, as well as wasting, growth retardation and deficiency diseases. Evidence has also shown the importance of proper breastfeeding and complementary feeding practice and sustainable healthy food systems. Through healthy nutrition policies, legislation and strategies, malnutrition in all its forms can be prevented.
Now that we know the meaning of food and what nutrition means, why is it considered important? Since food is the vehicle through which the body receives the nutrients and energy that each person needs 1 , the proper selection of these foods and their consumption in the necessary proportions will make the nutrition process successful.
Based on the above, a correct diet should be:
Complete : that it has all the nutrients, including in all meals the three essential food groups: cereals and tubers, vegetables and fruits, and legumes and foods of animal origin.
Balanced : that is to say that the nutrients keep the appropriate proportions and are sufficient to cover the nutritional needs 1 .
Safe : that its regular consumption does not imply health risks, that it is consumed in moderation and does not provide excessive amounts of any component or nutrient.
Sufficient : that covers the needs of all the nutrients so that they have good nutrition, a healthy weight and, in the case of children, that they grow and develop correctly.
Varied : that from one meal to another, different foods from each group are included.
Adequate : that it is in accordance with the tastes and culture of the person who consumes it, adjusting to their economic resources.
IMPORTANCE OF NUTRITION
Nutrition's main function is to transform and extract the necessary nutrients from the food we consume. Through this process, the body generates the energy necessary to maintain the organism and develop its functions. Likewise, it produces the necessary elements for the processes of obtaining, assimilation and metabolism of nutrients by the organism.
For the survival of living beings, nutrition is fundamental since through it we have the necessary energy for the functioning of our organism. This allows us to grow, develop and renew our damaged or deteriorated tissues. Why is nutrition important for living things? Keep reading!
Why is nutrition important for living things? The main function of nutrition is to extract and transform the necessary nutrients from the food we eat. Through this process, the body generates the energy necessary to maintain the body and develop its functions. In addition, it produces the necessary elements for the processes of obtaining, assimilation and metabolism of nutrients by the organism.
The importance of nutrition refers to the process that the body performs to assimilate the nutrients it obtains from food. This is accomplished through digestion, where nutrients are absorbed into the blood from the digestive tract and assimilated by the body's cells.
Thanks to these processes carried out by nutrition, the body has the necessary energy to perform its vital functions. In addition to performing daily activities. In this sense, adequate nutrition is very important for the body to obtain the best results according to its resources or needs.
How to maintain healthy nutrition
The daily consumption of essential nutrients is essential for good physical and mental development. At the same time as having healthy habits and exercising daily or regularly
Nutrition totally influences health, therefore, we must know that childhood obesity and cardiovascular problems are very present in society. This is because, in many cases, people prefer to consume the food that is pleasant and simple, but that is not healthy at all.
All nutrition professionals recommend the Mediterranean diet daily. In addition, they insist that a lot of work must be done with children and young people, so that they have a healthy breakfast and an adequate meal that does not frequent fast food.
In this sense, prevention from nutrition is one of the most valid and effective ways to protect our health. Thus, it is important to make food a way to enjoy life in a healthy way.
Therefore, to have healthier eating habits does not mean that you have to reject everything. For that, it is necessary to know the importance of nutrition, since it is from it that you will be able to moderate and not consume in excess. This way you will be able to significantly improve your health and ensure an adequate quality of life in the future.
Nutrition is the concept that refers to the process by which the body assimilates the nutrients from food through a series of spontaneous phenomena, such as digestion, the absorption of nutrients into the blood through the digestive tract and their assimilation by the cells of the organism. And that is why, thanks to these phenomena carried out by nutrition, the necessary energy is taken to be able to carry out the rest of the vital functions, in addition to carrying out daily activities.
Getting started with nutrition
Nutrition is the concept that refers to the process by which the body assimilates the nutrients from food through a series of spontaneous phenomena, such as digestion, the absorption of nutrients into the blood through the digestive tract and the their assimilation by the cells of the organism. And that is why, thanks to these phenomena carried out by nutrition, the necessary energy is taken to be able to carry out the rest of the vital functions, in addition to carrying out daily activities.
Nutrition is also the medical specialty that is based on the complex analysis of the set of foods that a human being can consume and how this can be adapted to various needs such as a hypocaloric, hypotensive, low sodium diet, etc. In this sense, adequate nutrition is very important so that the body can obtain the best results according to its resources or needs, as well as prevent or cure diseases related to food . For example, in western societies nutrition is nowadays essential to combat obesity and overweight.
Why pay attention to nutrition
The importance of nutrition for the proper functioning of the body lies fundamentally in that eating habits are adequate. Although it seems simple to correct bad habits, reality shows us that it is much more complicated than it seems and that nutrition-related diseases are a global concern today.
It is estimated that obesity as well as malnutrition affect most of the world's population. For this reason, nutrition education and information campaigns have become the main lines of action of preventive Health Policies programs throughout the world. These campaigns can be of great help when it comes to raising awareness and providing interesting and practical information to change bad habits.
Nutrition is health. The daily consumption of these nutrients, as well as carrying out healthy habits, such as the practice of physical activity on a regular basis, are one of the pillars of good health and physical and mental development. That is why nutrition contributes directly to strengthening the immune system , contracting fewer diseases and ultimately having good health.
How to maintain healthy nutrition
The current reality shows us that it is increasingly difficult to dedicate time to a healthy, conscious and regular diet. This is due to the times of modern life that mean that we can use little time to cook healthy dishes and we usually end up falling for fast food and, also, cheaper. Other elements such as stress, a sedentary lifestyle and negative habits such as tobacco or alcohol clearly add up against the well-being of the body, which is why any effort made with good nutrition must be sustained in every way.
In order to have a balanced nutrition, it is necessary to take foods from the three food groups, as indicated in the food pyramid, in an adequate measure, that is, to a greater extent, the group of cereals and tubers, in second place, from the group of fruits and vegetables, and thirdly, products of animal origin and legumes. Of these three groups, six types of essential nutrients that the body needs and that must be taken daily to have optimal nutrition stand out; carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and water. There are different diets that involve a special selection of these foods, such as vegetarians, vegans, celiacs, those that depend on diseases such as diabetes, etc. It is advisable to consult specialists to receive the best assistance in this regard.
We have clear examples of the consequences of poor nutrition, since as the World Health Organization points out, malnutrition is one of the most important causes considered as key factors of mortality in the world, and of course, in the least developed countries, where a high percentage of the population suffers from diseases or, in the worst case, dies as a result of poor nutrition.
The main objectives of nutrition are the following:
Energy contribution : This point is fundamental for any human being and for any activity that is carried out. Contributions of carbohydrates, proteins and fats must be offered in adequate quantity, quality and proportion. In this way, a correct functioning of the metabolic system is achieved.
Plastic contribution : To fulfill this purpose, the adequate incorporation of proteins, fats and certain minerals must be considered. Proteins are a basic part of the structure of all living cells and perform the essential function of tissue construction.
Regulatory contribution : It is generally given by the incorporation into the body of vitamins and minerals. In the case of vitamins, working as catalysts for biochemical reactions allows the release of energy.
Reserve contribution : Bearing in mind that carbohydrates and fats are the main sources of energy, the storage of these substrates in the body is assumed to collaborate in energy metabolism at the time of physical exertion.
My recommendation to learn more about Nutrition kindly click the following link 🙏:
- Get link
- X
- Other Apps
Comments
Post a Comment