The Importance of Nutrition

Nutrition is important to us all as it helps our bodies to function properly and can be obtained from the various different kinds of foods that we eat. In this article we will take a look at what is nutrition and how important it is in our lives. If a person is unable to obtain sufficient amounts of nutrients through their diet to help their bodies function properly they are likely to be suffering from malnutrition.

The nutrients that a person’s body needs in order for it to function properly come from various different foods and are known as the following:-

1. Carbohydrates – These help to provide our bodies with energy and these can be found in foods such as bread, potatoes and maize. When we burn carbohydrates not only do they help to provide the body with energy but they also produce carbon dioxide and water as well. But not only does our bodies use carbohydrates to produce energy they are also stored within the body insoluble form as either starch or glycogen which can be used at a later stage as and when our body requires them.

2. Fats – Although many people try of avoid consuming fat when we are trying to lose weight or helping up a more healthy diet. But in fact they can actually produce twice as much energy as carbohydrates and should be included within any well balanced nutritional diet. Fat is a compact fuel and when stored within the body can be used by it later on at those times when a person has insufficient amounts of carbohydrates in their bodies to use to provide them with energy. But along with providing a person with additional energy fats are also important to help us to grow and repair our body as well as providing a small amount of insulation against cold weather.

3. Proteins – These nutrients are required to help our bodies to grow and also to help the body repair itself. It is in fact proteins which help our body to make more cells especially protoplasm, enzymes, hormones and antibodies all of which our body needs to remain fit and healthy. Plus as with carbohydrates and fats they can also provide the body with energy when required to do so.

4. Vitamins – There are vitamins which our bodies need which help our body’s immune system and help to defend it against any bacteria or viruses that are likely to cause a disease and make us ill. Whilst others can help with the production of certain parts of the body such as body tissue, bones, blood cells as well as our genes.

5. Minerals – We need to include these within a balanced nutritional diet as they help our body to grow and help in the various functions that our body does. Calcium is one mineral that should be included within a nutritional diet as this helps our bones to develop and remain strong.

So as you can see from above it is very important that we all know what is nutrition and the role it plays in our lives today.