Basics of Nutrients

[Graham]

Basics of Nutrients:

Types of Nutrients: There are six basic nutrients that you should be aware of, these nutrients are carbohydrates, protein, cholesterol, vitamins, minerals and water. Each nutrient serves it's own, equally important, roles in the body. With a proper balance of each you should have a somewhat healthy body.

• Water:

A.) Water is probably the most essential nutrient in the body. Your body is an estimated 70% water amongst 30% other substances. It is estimated that three quarters of the brain consist of water, thus water is essential in daily functioning processes.

B.) The chemical structure/formula for water is known as H20. On paper it would be listed like this: H / sub 2 / 0. The H stands for hydrogen, water consists of two hydrogen atoms therefor there is a sub 2. The O stands for oxygen and there is only one oxygen atom therefor it's sub 1, in which the 1 does not need to be listed.

Benefits of Water:
-Water has multiple benefits. One which I find most advantageous is that of the minimal amount of headaches which do not occur. If you drink water, it's less likely that you will have headaches.

-Water is known as a "cramp curer". I usually drink water to reduce the agony of cramps. If you aren't drinking enough water you are more susceptible to cramps. This is due to the buildup of lactic acid in the muscles due to the lack of oxygen in the blood stream.

-Water serves as a helper in the process of digestion. If you drink water more often your colon will clear out much easier, thus it will not be drink and constricted.

• Carbohydrates:

A.) There are two types of carbohydrates: simple and complex. The simple carbohydrates are quick and for short term usage. Complex carbohydrates are for long term usage; stored. These can be found in most starches such as potatoes, pasta, etc. Digestive enzymes must work much harder to break down complex carbohydrates as the inverse is for simple carbohydrates. In complex carbohydrates there is a constant supply of energy to the body.

B.) All these carbohydrates contain glucose and glycogen. These carbohydrates break down into sugar which provides energy.

Benefits of Carbohydrates:
-Carbohydrates are a source of easily obtainable energy. This energy can be found in readily available products which is good.

-Carbohydrates contain what we know as fiber. Fiber is a substance which is coarse and is known to clean out our digestive track. Fibers generally induce bowel movements. It is concluded that when one increases the amount of fiber in their diet, they are cleansing their colon.

• Proteins:

A.) The building blocks of protein are known as amino acids. Protein can be found in eggs, milk, fish, chicken, meat, etc. Protein is used as a source to build lean muscle and should be implemented in your diet regularly. There are nine essential amino acids which can be found in foods which you probably consume regularly.

B.) For our age bracket we should be consuming about 60g of protein daily. Protein can be used for growth of the body, muscle tissue repair and the regular upkeep of the body.

Benefits of Proteins:
-Protein can be used as a dietary supplement. With proper working out and daily exercise this protein can be reformulated into lean muscle mass and less to no fat.

-Proteins aid in muscle repair and tissue repair. If you workout avidly then protein will help rebuild and strengthen the muscle tissue which you tore by working out. Essentially you will notice that your muscles become less strained and sore the following day.

-Protein is not stored in the body thus we need to refill our protein basins daily so we have proper supplementation of the substance. Not only does protein create denser lean muscle but it also increases the strength of bones.

• Cholesterol:

A.) There are two specific types of cholesterol: HDL and LDL. HDL (High-density lipoprotein) is the good type of cholesterol, it is smooth and non sticky therefor it doesn't stick to the walls of the arteries. LDL (Low-density lipoprotein) is a bad type of cholesterol which is rough and sticky thus it clogs the artery walls.

B.) You should maintain a decent balance of both types of cholesterol.

Benefits of Cholesterol:
-A diet which lacks cholesterol could indeed increase your weight. A balance of both cholesterol allows for the body to function properly and HDL helps clear the arteries.

-Cholesterol aids in the production of vitamin D which is essential for skin care. Not only does cholesterol exist in isolated areas of the body but it also exists in every cell.

• Vitamins:

A.) Vitamins are essential in body regulation. Vitamins are found in all natural foods. There are water soluble and fat soluble vitamins. Water soluble are vitamins which need to be replaced daily such as vitamins B and C. The fat soluble vitamins don't need to be replaced daily but on a more lengthy scale which would be D, A, E. etc.

Benefits of Vitamins:
-Vitamins provide energy for your metabolism. Your metabolism is something which helps the digestion of food.

-They help form blood clots. If you are cut or injured and bleeding, the vitamins which you intake have substances which help provide clotting of the blood and hemoglobin- which is a substance int he blood.

-Lastly, vitamins provide for our vision. They allow us to see in color.

• Minerals:

A.) Minerals contain iron. Iron is available in the red blood cells. The minerals provide for the growth of blood, bone structure, muscle contraction, etc. there are about 24 minerals which are essential to the growth of the human body. There are two categories of minerals: trace and major. Major minerals are large amounts of minerals within the body and trace minerals are those which are smaller portions within the body. Proper balance of minerals are essential due to over induction of a specific mineral in the body can cause a deficiency of another mineral.

Benefits of Minerals:
-Minerals are the compliments of vitamins- one is essential to the other.

-Minerals also aid in the transmission of nerve impulses from the different sections of the body to the brain and nerve endings.

-Iron which is found in minerals is used mainly to transport oxygen from your lungs to the other sections of your body. Most minerals can be allocated by eating your vegetables and fruits. Calcium is needed as well to build strong bones, teeth, finger nails, etc. This mineral can be found in large dosages.

 

[omagawd]

This is more knowledge then a guide but none the less I think this is a great . It gives a sufficient amount of information and is very informative. No pictures but easy to follow.

Keep sharing your knowledge with others and make some guides with pictures.

8/10

 

[Awesome-0o]

ITs really good actually. I learned most of this in my sports performance class at school.

 

[Graham]

Thanks, I wasn't really sure on the format, so a little help would be good.

 

[l337 Timz0r]

Nice guide 8.5/10

 

[Graham]

If anyone has any questions I'd be happy to answer. I can go more into depth on certain questions such as what to eat, etc.

 

[imxtoeknee]

Make sure you mention that the guide is YOURS, make title and subtitles stand out, so readers can easily know what they are reading about, and It will be more appealing as well. You never mention the cons of these nutrients and how much of them you should consume everyday, you should also include the "Daily Value Table" and food that give those nutrients , pictures will be really helpful.

 

[wombakage]

its good lots of facts would be cool if you talked about how a calorie is the amount of energy needed to raise a milli leter of water 1 degree and some randoms facts to toss around

 

[Graham]

Make sure you mention that the guide is YOURS, make title and subtitles stand out, so readers can easily know what they are reading about, and It will be more appealing as well. You never mention the cons of these nutrients and how much of them you should consume everyday, you should also include the "Daily Value Table" and food that give those nutrients , pictures will be really helpful.

Thanks, imxtoeknee, I was going for more of a knowledge perspective. But if I have time I will hopefully update it by adding foods which provide these nutrients.

 

[Fedora]

I suggest you to make bigger separations. 8/10.

 

[Graham]

Didn't know this thread was a sticky, I'll have to make it a bit more presentable than. Thanks for all the CnC.