Essential Nutrients, Water, and Nutritional Disorders

Nutrients and Water

Nutrients: Nutrients are chemical compounds contained in different foods and are essential components for our bodies.

Water

Water: Water is essential for life; it is part of all living things in varying proportions.

Features of Water

Features: It is where most of the chemical reactions of a living organism occur. It is a solvent for ions, minerals and organic chemicals; it acts as a temperature regulator. It is the vehicle for transport of substances in the body.

Carbohydrates (Sugars and Saccharides)

Carbohydrates: Available: they are a source of energy for the body.

Types of Carbohydrates

• Monosaccharides: Glucose and fructose, abundant in many fruits.
• Disaccharides: Lactose (present in milk) and sucrose (table sugar).
• Polysaccharides: Starch and glycogen; starch is present in plant foods and glycogen in animals.
• Non-digestible (Not available): Dietary fiber is composed of polymers that our digestive enzymes cannot degrade, such as cellulose and pectins.

Proteins

Proteins: Macromolecules formed by successive linking of amino acids.

Functions of Proteins

• Structural: They form part of muscle fibers and body structures.
• Regulatory: Enzymes and hormones.
• Energetic: Each gram of protein provides approximately 4 kcal.

Fats and Lipids

Fats or lipids: Fats (lipids) are a group of compounds of varying chemical nature that are insoluble in water.

Functions of Fats

• Energy: Provide a concentrated source of energy.
• Structural: Contribute to cell membranes and body structures.
• Regulatory: Participate in regulatory functions and act as carriers for fat-soluble vitamins.
• Essential fatty acids: Some fats provide essential fatty acids required by the body.
• Palatability: Fats help make food appetizing.

Food and Its Functions

The food: Food is the source of nutrients for humans.

Plastic (Structural) Function

Plastic or structural function: They provide the body with the materials necessary for forming new structures.

Energy Function

Energy function: They provide the energy required to perform activities of daily life and to maintain internal functions such as digestion and body temperature.

Regulatory Function

Regulatory function: It allows us to regulate the metabolic activity of our cells.

Food Groups

• Group 1: Cereals, sugar and potatoes — energy function.
• Group 2: Fats and oils — energy function.
• Group 3: Meats, eggs, fish, legumes, nuts — plastic (structural) function.
• Group 4: Milk and milk products — plastic (structural) function.
• Group 5 and 6: Fruits and vegetables — regulatory function.

Nutritional Diseases and Disorders

Diseases: In today's society the distribution of food is not equitable for the entire world population.

Constipation

Constipation: It is caused by a low intake of fiber (found in fruits and vegetables) and water, resulting in low intestinal motility and difficulty passing stool.

Obesity

Obesity: It results from an excessive accumulation of fat in adipose tissue due to a caloric intake greater than needed.

Anorexia

Anorexia: Although sometimes classified among digestive disorders, anorexia is primarily a mental illness characterized by a distorted self-image that leads to rejection of food.

Bulimia

Bulimia: Periods of excessive food intake (bingeing). Afterwards the patient feels the need to remove the ingested food by inducing vomiting or using laxatives.

Deficiency Diseases

Deficiency diseases: Caused by lack of certain nutrients in the diet such as vitamins, minerals or proteins; the most important consequence is malnutrition.