Nutrition

Nutritional science investigates the metabolic and physiological responses of the body to diet. With advances in the fields of molecular biology, biochemistry, nutritional immunology, molecular medicine and genetics, the study of nutrition is increasingly concerned with metabolism and metabolic pathways: the sequences of biochemical steps through which substances in living things change from one form to another.

Carnivore and herbivore diets are contrasting, with basic nitrogen and carbon proportions being at varying levels in particular foods. Carnivores consume more nitrogen than carbon[citation needed] while herbivores consume less nitrogen than carbon, when an equal quantity  is measured.

The human body contains chemical compounds, such as water, carbohydrates (sugar, starch, and fiber), amino acids (in proteins), fatty acids (in lipids), and nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). These compounds in turn consist of elements such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, manganese, and so on. All of these chemical compounds and elements occur in various forms and combinations (e.g. hormones, vitamins, phospholipids, hydroxyapatite), both in the human body and in the plant and animal organisms that humans eat.

The human body consists of elements and compounds ingested, digested, absorbed, and circulated through the bloodstream to feed the cells of the body. Except in the unborn fetus, the digestive system is the first system involved[vague]. In a typical adult, about seven liters of digestive juices enter the digestive tract.[citation needed][clarification needed] These digestive juices break chemical bonds in ingested molecules, and modify their conformations and energy states. Though some molecules are absorbed into the bloodstream unchanged, digestive processes release them from the matrix of foods. Unabsorbed matter, along with some waste products of metabolism, is eliminated from the body in the feces.

Studies of nutritional status must take into account the state of the body before and after experiments, as well as the chemical composition of the whole diet and of all material excreted and eliminated from the body (in urine and feces). Comparing the food to the waste can help determine the specific compounds and elements absorbed and metabolized in the body. The effects of nutrients may only be discernible over an extended period, during which all food and waste must be analyzed. The number of variables involved in such experiments is high, making nutritional studies time-consuming and expensive, which explains why the science of human nutrition is still slowly evolving.

In particular, the consumption of whole-plant foods slows digestion and allows better absorption, and a more favorable balance of essential nutrients per Calorie, resulting in better management of cell growth, maintenance, and mitosis (cell division), as well as better regulation of appetite and blood sugar[citation needed]. Regularly scheduled meals (every few hours) have also proven more wholesome than infrequent or haphazard ones although a recent study has also linked more frequent meals with a higher risk of colon cancer in men.

1)What are Nutrients?

The chemical substances those required for growth and development of the body, energy production and body building are called Nutrients.

2) What is Nutrition?

The procurement of Nutrients is called Nutrition (or) intake of Nutrients is called Nutrition.

3) Name fire complex carbohydrates?

Cellulose, sucrose, lactose, glycogen, and starch are some of the examples of carbohydrates.

4) What is balanced diet?

Food having all the Nutrients is quantities required for the body is called balance diet.

5) Write brief note on calcium/or. In what way calcium helps the body?

• Calcium is the major element required for our body.

• It is required for the formation of bones, teeth, coagulation of blood.

• It requires for the production of milk in the lactating females and also for muscle contraction

• Calcium is available in milk, milk products, green leafy vegetables etc.

• Calcium required for our body is about 400- 500 milligrams per day.

6)Write brief note on Iron?

• Iron is the major element present in the Haemoglobin.

• About 60-70 % of iron in the body is present in blood

• Iron helps to carry oxygen from lungs to the tissues.

• Iron is available in liver, meat, fish, cereals nuts, green leafy vegetables and dried fruits.

• Deficiency of iron causes anemia.

7) What is flurosis? How does it affect the body?

• Fluorine is a trace element. It is present is the ground water.

• Fluorine is required for the formation of bones and enamel on the teeth.

• In some areas of our state drinking water has large amount of fluorides. People living in these areas intake more fluorides than the requirement through drinking water. This leads to a disease called fluorosis

• Affects of fluorosis: The teeth become yellow in colour and bone deformations are seen. As a result people can’t stand erect and walk properly.

• There is no cure for this disease and the only way to avoid fluorosis is to remove fluorine from drinking water.

8) Write short note on Iodine?

• Iodine is required for the production on thyroxin from thyroid gland.

• Deficiency of Iodine results in hypothyroidism and enlargement of thyroid gland, this is known as goiter.

• Due to hypothyroidism, there is a reduction in metabolic rate and physical growth.

• Sea foods like marine fishes are the best sources for Iodine.

• To reduce iodine deficiency in people, government has passed a law, prohibiting the sale of salt without Iodine for domestic use.

• Small amounts of iodine is present in milk, meat and vegetables.

9) What is malnutrition? Mention the reasons for malnutrition?

Eating of food that does not have one or more than one nutrients in required amount is known as malnutrition.

Reasons for malnutrition:

• Willful starvation or low food intake.

• Poor health of individual due to infections.

• Lack of awareness of nutritional qualities of food.

• Socio economic factors such as poverty etc.

• Poor quality of housing, sanitation and water supply also contributes to ill health.

10)What are the effects of kwashiorkor on children?

Kwashiorkor is an African word- it means displaced child. It is caused by due to deficiency of proteins in the

diet.

1. Child growth is slowed down.

2. Development of muscles will be very poor.

3. Face will be fluffy and moon shaped.

4. Body parts became swollen due to accumulation water in the interest cellular spaces.

5. Lack of interest or irritability in playing and learning.

6. Difficulty in eating food.

7. The child very frequently suffers with diarrhea.

8. Child becomes lethargic

9. The skin becomes dry and loose

10. Hair become thin and does not have normal shine.

11)Write brief note on Marasmus?

Marasmus is a disease caused due to the deficiency of both proteins and calories.

1. Child is reduced to skin and bones due to extreme wasting of muscles.

2. Failure to gain weight or loss of body weight.

3. Loose and saggy appearance of skin.

4. The child affected with marasmus has sunken eyes.

5. The limbs become thin and the ribs appear very prominent.

6. Less developed muscles with loose folds of skin.

7. Inadequate growth of hair having a faded appearance.

8. Vulnerable to infections and diarrhea due to inadequate body defense mechanism.

9. Lack of interest in physical and mental activities.

12) How is obesity considered as a health hazard?

Obesity is considered as a health hazard due to the following reasons...

1. Obese people are not very active.

2. Obese people are more prone to diseases like diabetes.

3. Obese people are more cholesterol in his /her blood. This leads to cardiovascular diseases like hypertension, heart attack etc.

4. Obesity causes disorders of the liver and kidney.

Steps to control obesity:

1. The only way to treat obesity is to increase the energy expenditure and reduce the energy in taken.

2. Regular exercise is required to increase the energy expenditure.

3. Exercise must be done under proper supervision; otherwise it leads to cardiovascular problems.

4. Weight reduction must be gradual and should not be sudden.

5. To reduce energy in take obese people are advised to reduce eating of energy rich foods.

6. Obese persons are advised to take more balanced and fiber high foods.

13) Which cells of the body are responsible for obesity and why?

Adipose tissue is responsible for obesity due to over eating, excess of energy is converted to fat and it is stored in the cells of adipose tissue. As a result, the size and the number of adipose cells increase and it leads to obesity.

Fill in the blanks:

1. Cane sugar is called __________(sucrose)

2. Milk sugar is called __________(lactose)

3. Deficiency of iodine results in __________(simple goiter)

4. Deficiency of iron causes _____________(anemia)

5. Excessive intake of fluorine results in ___________(fluorosis)

6. The energy released by one gram of glucose in __________(4.k.cal )

7. The energy released by ‘1’ gram of fat is ___________(9.45 k. cal )

8. Bone deformities occur due to the excessive intake of __________(fluorine )

9. In the body excess fat is stored in ___________(Adipose tissue )

10. Deficiency of proteins is called ___________(kwashiorkor).