Nutrition
–It is the scientific study of food and its relation
to health.
–Food has been used to treat in conjunction
with or with or without medicine.
–It is a combination of processes by which all
parts of the body receive and utilize materials.
–Age, religion, economic status, agriculture,
education are some factors which affect
human nutrition.
–Functions of nutrients include supplying
energy to the body, building and repairing
body tissues and regulating body processes.
The food groups
CARBOHYDRATES
•These are the body’s main source of
energy
a) Simple carbohydrates (sugar)
•This sugar is found naturally in some
foods like fruits and milk . The sugar which
we use is derived from these natural
sugars .
b) Complex carbohydrates (starch)
These carbohydrates are found in foods
derived from plants like potatoes.
c) It is digested in the mouth and further by
pancreatic and intestinal enzymes.
d) Sources include cereals, vegetables,
jiggery etc.
PROTEINS
a) Proteins help to repair and build the body
tissues. It also regulates body processes
as hormones, antibodies, enzymes etc.
b) It is digested in the stomach and the
small intestine.
c) Complete proteins contain all essential
amino acids and are of animal origin.
d) Incomplete proteins are deficient in one
or more amino acids
e) Protein deficiency results in impaired
healing weight loss etc.
f) Sources include eggs, meat, fish, poultry,
pulses, soybeans etc.
FATS
•These are concentrated forms
of energy stores. It is present
in different forms like
cholesterol, omega fatty acids
etc.
•They supply heat, insulation,
padding for vital organs etc.
•It is digested by pancreas and
the intestines.
•Plant sources include edible nuts and
oilseeds.
•Animal sources include whole milk, eggs,
lard, fish etc.
•Deficiency causes growth failure and skin
problems.
VITAMINS
•These are a group of chemicals which are
vital for the body. These chemicals are
found in green leafy vegetables, fresh
fruits etc. A deficiency of these in our diet
will cause certain diseases .
a) Fat soluble vitamins- A,D,E,K. These
require fat for there absorption and are
stored in the body.
b) Water soluble vitamins- B complex group,
C. These are sensitive to environmental
conditions and are not stored in the body.
c) Sources include vegetables, fruits, nuts
etc.
Diseases caused by deficiency of
certain vitamins
Vitamin Disease caused
by the
deficiency of
that vitamin
Treatment
Vitamin A Night blindness Include leafy
vegetables ,
ripe yellow
vegetables,
carrots,
papayas and
milk in the diet
Vitamin B Redness of the
tongue
Roughness of
the skin
Include pulses,
leafy
vegetables and
milk in the diet
Vitamin C Bleeding of the
gums
Include amla,
lemons,
oranges and
sprouts in the
diet
Vitamin D Bending of the
bones of the
legs
Bending of the
back
Expose the
body to the
early morning
sun. Include
milk in the diet
MINERALS
•These are inorganic elements occurring
as salts.
•These help to build body tissues regulate
body fluids.
•These are required in small quantities and
are vital to the body.
•Major minerals like calcium sodium are
required in large amounts.
•Minor minerals like iron, sulphur are
required in small amounts.
•Trace elements like iodine, zinc, fluorine
are required in micro amounts.
•Sources include vegetables, water etc.
•Deficiency symptoms are varied.
WATER
a) 65% of an adults body
consists of water.
b) It is found as intracellular,
extra cellular and
intercellular fluid.
c) It acts as a solvent,
transports nutrients and acts
as a lubricant. It also
regulates body temperature.
d) Sources include food , metabolic water,
ingested water
e) Deficiency (dehydration) causes fatigue,
headache etc.