(BON) Nutrients: Essential or Non Essential Lesson

Nutrients: Essential or Non-Essential Lesson

The topic of Nutrition is a vast subject area. To understand this area, you must first understand what it means. Nutrition is the process of providing or obtaining the food necessary to nourish the body to facilitate function and growth. The word, "nutrient" descends from "nutrition." Considered Latin in nature, it means to "nourish" or "feed." That is just what nutrients do. They nourish and feed the body in a way that it performs at its optimal state.

There are many chemical elements that are classified as nutrients. They are either organic (living, example - carbohydrate) or inorganic (non-living, example - dietary minerals, water, oxygen).

Nonessential Nutrients can be synthesized (created) by the cell even if they are not present in food. In short, they are made by the body but can also be consumed in food. An example is cholesterol.

Essential Nutrients cannot be synthesized (created) by the cell and must be obtained in food. In short, they must be obtained by consuming food.

 

Essential Nutrients

Interact with the presentation below to learn more about Essential Nutrients. You may visit the pages more than once. Once you begin, select "Instructions" to learn more about how to interact with this presentation. You will be responsible for the information below, so please take notes. Also, ensure that the volume on your computer or speakers is turned up.

 

Absorption of Nutrients

Most digested molecules of food, as well as water and minerals, are absorbed through the small intestine. The lining of the small intestine has tiny projections called microvilli, which wave across the intestine catching those valuable nutrients. They are then carried into the bloodstream for the body to store for further chemical change. This part of the process varies with different types of nutrients.

Do we need to have a supplement (multi-vitamin) each day? Our bodies need around 42 nutrients each day. Unfortunately, a multivitamin cannot deliver all of these nutrients. Fruits and vegetables have additional nutrients that are beneficial for health known as phytochemicals. Eating this "whole" food can be very beneficial. Whole foods contain more vitamins and phytochemicals than a supplement. Also, vitamins can lose some potency during the digestive process because the stomach acids break down the vitamin casing. Since a vitamin is not considered a drug, the FDA does not impose stringent guidelines to protect consumers against potential negatives effects. So, eating the actual food is always the best option. Individuals should not rely on taking a multi-vitamin to compensate for a poor diet.

 

Self-Assessment

Please complete the self-assessment below. This will help you see how well you know your nutrients and their functions. If you do not do well, go back to the presentation above and look at the nutrients more closely and then return to this activity to try again. Also, ask your instructor if you need more help.

 

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