6 essential nutrients
Introduction to 6 essential nutrients[Top] There are numerous nutrients, but there are 6 essential nutrients that your body absolutely cannot do without. Every nutrient has a role to play in your body. The 6 nutrients are Fats[Top] Fats get a bad press but we do need them. The Inuit's are indigenous peoples who live in the Arctic areas of Greenland, United States, Russia and Canada. Their diet is very high in fat and also high in protein. In fact traditional Inuit diets obtain about 50 to 70 of their calories from fat. You may think this sounds very unhealthy but the fats in the Inuit's diet are monounsaturated, it is the saturated fat, typically found in meat, dairy products and eggs that people have to be careful of. Carbohydrates[Top] Carbohydrates are an ideal source of energy for the body. This is because they can be transformed more easily into glucose, a type of sugar which is transported as well as used by your body. Carbohydrates can be found in pastries, crackers, vegetables, sugars, biscuits and breads. Vitamins[Top] Vitamins are vital to nutrition. Vitamins permit use the energy that we get through the consumption of fats, carbohydrates and proteins. 13 vitamins are essential for the body to function normally. Some vitamins behave like hormones in your body, others act as chemical messengers, and some are part of enzymes. Minerals[Top] Minerals are compounds that help in numerous bodily functions like regulating the body's fluids, growth and tissue repair. Examples of minerals include potassium, iron, zinc and calcium. Like vitamins they are found in an variety of food. There are two major categories of minerals, macro and trace. The amount is the difference between macro and trace. In the body trace minerals are found in small amounts, while macro minerals are found in large amounts. Water[Top] A human's body is made up of fifty five percent to seventy eight percent of water, depending on the body size. In order to function correctly and avoid dehydration, one to seven liters daily is needed daily. Water breaks down food and helps to remove toxins from the body. Proteins[Top] All cells in your body contain protein they are responsible for all your bodily functions. Proteins are broken up in your stomach during the digestion process. Twenty two amino acids make up proteins. Proteins can be found in milk, fish, eggs, cheeses, peanuts, soybeans, peas, beans and grains. Return from 6 essential nutrients to natural healing home page |
