What is Nutrition? Get the Definition of Nutrition Here
When people think of “nutrition,” they may picture lots of fresh produce and health food. Or they may see bottles of pills and supplements. But nutrition is more basic than these things. Nutrition is the provision of the food materials needed to support life. These materials are called nutrients.
The Nutrients We Need
Certain nutrients are needed by the human body. The ones needed in the largest quantities are fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. These provide the energy, stored as calories, that the body needs as fuel. They also provide the raw materials or “building blocks” for the body to generate new cells, heal from wounds, etc. An indigestible kind of carbohydrate called fiber is also needed to keep the intestines healthy. Good nutrition starts with taking in enough of these nutrients.
The body also needs nucleic acids to build DNA, but these are abundant in food because they are found in all living things, so they are not a significant concern in nutrition.
Vitamins and minerals are nutrients needed in relatively small amounts. Vitamins are organic compounds that the body cannot synthesize itself. Vitamins can function as hormones, facilitate biochemical reactions, and protect cells by acting as antioxidants. Minerals are single chemical elements, not compounds. Different minerals have widely varying functions, including maintaining electrolyte balance (sodium, potassium, and chloride), allowing muscles and nerves to function (calcium), and building bone (calcium and phosphorus).
Nutrition Basics
In theory, all necessary nutrients can be obtained from food. This is the goal of proper nutrition. Eating too much of certain foods can cause an excess of the “big three” nutrients, fats, proteins, and carbohydrates, which can result in obesity, metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes, and many other health problems. Thus good nutrition means taking in a balanced amount of nutrients, not too much nor too little.
No food contains all the necessary vitamins and minerals. To obtain adequate amounts from food, humans require a varied diet. Many people choose to add to the vitamins and minerals they get from food with artificial supplements, either because they know they do not get enough or just to be on the safe side.
Most vitamins and minerals cannot be overdosed from food. Vitamin A is an exception; eating too much liver can cause a Vitamin A overdose. Overdoses can happen from consuming too many artificial supplements. Some supplements, such as vitamin C, are easy for the body to get rid of and therefore rarely cause an overdose. Others, like the mineral iron, can cause poisoning and serious illness in case of overdose.
Good nutrition always requires balance. The right amount of calories, fiber, vitamins, and minerals must be consumed every day to keep the body healthy, but overdoing a particular nutrient can cause health problems.