Nutrition and Diet Therapy

Introduction

The meaning and importance of nutrition

Nutrition is the study of food and how the body makes use of it. It
deals not only with the quantity and quality of food consumed but
also with the process of receiving and utilizing it for the growth and
renewal of the body and for the maintenance of the different body
functions.

According to World Health Organization, Nutrition is a critical part of health and development. Better nutrition is
related to improved infant, child and maternal health, stronger immune systems, safer pregnancy and childbirth,
lower risk of non-communicable diseases (such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease), and longevity.

Function of Nutrition

The basic function of nutrition is to maintain life by allowing and individual to grow and be in a state of optimum
health.

The ff are reasons why nutritional science is applied to nursing care:

1. the recognition of the role of nutrition in preventing disease or illness

2. the concern for adapting food patterns of individuals to their nutritional needs

3. the awareness of the need in specified disease states to modify nutritional factors for therapeutic purposes

Nutrients are chemical substances found in food. They perform diverse roles in the body such as to provide heat
and energy, to build and repair body tissues and to regulate body processes. Since
nutrients are found primarily in natural foods, adequate intake of these nutrients is
necessary to carry out physiological functions.

Clasisification according to:

1. Function: those that form tissues in the body are body-building nutrients while those
that furnish heat and energy are fats, carbohydrates, and proteins.
a. Energy giving foods: carbohydrates, fats, protein are considered as calorie nutrients those thay serve as metabolic
substrate for energy so that the body can perform its necessary functions. While vitamins and minerals are
considered to be non- calorie nutrients.

b. Body-building foods: foods such as proteins, fats, and carbohydrates are called as body-building foods. They are
nutrients that form body tissues.

c. Protective foods (Regulators): Vitamins and minerals are nutrients that function to regulate body processes.

2. Chemical Properties: nutrients are either organic or inorganic

The nutrients that contain carbon in their structural makeup are referred to as organic nutrients, whereas those that
do not contain carbon are called inorganic nutrients. Therefore, the organic nutrients are carbohydrates, lipids,
proteins and vitamins.

3. Essentiality: nutrients are classified based on their significant contribution to the body's physiological functioning.

a.Non Essential nutrients: which are not vital to the body and are synthesized via precursor molecules therefore,
the body does not need regular intake of such a condition to obtain the precursors of their environment. These are
produced by the body's metabolism.

b.Essential nutrients: those who are vital to the body as the body cannot synthesize. For humans, it includes
essential fatty acids, amino acids, some vitamins and minerals

4. Concentration: nutrients are either in large amounts or in little amounts depending on the quantity necessary for
cells and organisms.

a. Macronutrients: required in large amounts. These are involved as substrates in metabolic processes for energy.

b. Micronutrients : needed in small amounts. These are involved in regulating metabolism and energy processes,
but not as substrates. They are not vitamins and minerals

Food when taken and digested nourishes the body. It was a vital need without which a person cannot live. It is
likewise culturally acceptable as it supplies heat and energy, builds and repairs body tissues, and regulates body
processes.

Food is the third most important thing for living beings to provide energy and development, maintain life, or
stimulate growth after air and water. In fact, it is one of the most complicated sets of chemicals. It plays an
important role in the promotion of health and disease prevention.

We must know that the terms ‘food’ and ‘nutrition’ are sometimes used synonymously, which is not correct
completely. Food is a composite mixture of various ingredients that are consumed for nutrition.

On the other hand, nutrition connotes a dynamic process in which swallowed food is utilized by the human body for
nourishment.

As much as we eat, our body gets nourished. When there is an insufficient intake of protein, energy or carbohydrate,
there is often illness or infection.

FOOD SOURCES
Foods are secured through several methods: agriculture, hunting, gathering, etc. The detailed
statement is that most food has its origin in plants. Some food is derived directly from plants,
but even animals are also used as food sources that are picked up by feeding food from plants.

Some foods are not directly obtained from animal or plant sources they are obtained from
various edible fungi, especially mushrooms. Fungi and ambient bacteria are used in the
preparation of fermented and pickled foods like leavened bread, alcoholic drinks, cheese,
pickles, etc

References:

https://study.com/academy/lesson/organic-vs-inorganic-nutrients-differences-importance.

Basic Nutrition and Diet Therapy by Maria Lourdes Cruz-Caudal RND, MEM

https://www.slideshare.net/mobile/NagamaniManjunath/nutrients-classification-71897413

https://www.scientificworldinfo.com/2018/07/importance-of-food-in-our-daily-life.html?m=1