Nutrients

Updated as of JAN 2021

BIOLOGY

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Nutrients
• The substances that are necessary for the conduction of various types of biological
functions in organisms are called nutrients. Nutrition is called the acquisition of all
the nutrients required for growth, development and maintenance of the
organisms and running all the functions smoothly.

• Food can be mainly divided into three classes:

1. Energy - providing foods

2. Body building foods

3. Foods with anti-potency

Types of Nutrients
• According to the health department of Australia there are six major nutrients that
the body needs to function properly.

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1. Carbohydrates (CHO)

2. Lipids (fats)

3. Proteins

4. Vitamins

5. Minerals

6. Water

Carbohydrates
• Carbohydrates is a class of energy giving substances.

• Its chemical compounds are carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Carbohydrates are
organic compounds that after digestion are converted into glucose and glucose is
oxygenated by oxygen and provides energy to the body.

• Sources of carbohydrates: wheat, rice, corn, oats, sugar, jaggery, dry fruits, milk,
potato, sweet potatoes, meat, banana, juicy fruits, etc.

Types of Carbohydrates
 Monosaccharides

 Triose

 Tetrose

 Hexose

2. Disaccharides

3. Polysaccharides

• Monosaccharides Carbohydrates : these are the simplest form of carbohydrate,

which cannot be hydrolyzed or broken down into smaller carbohydrates.

• Disaccharides Carbohydrates : disaccharides in human nutrition

are sucrose, lactose, maltose.

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• Polysaccharides Carbohydrates : most abundant carbohydrates in the food. It is

formed by mixing of several monosaccharides molecules. They are insoluble in
water. The starch, glycogen cellulose, chitin etc. are examples of polysaccharides.

Functions of Carbohydrates:
1. It is the main source of energy to the body.

2. They act as fuel accumulated in the form of starch.

3. It works by converting fat into accumulated food.

4. It is a component of DNA and RNA.

5. It helps to save protein for bodybuilding activities.

Disorders Caused by Deficiency or Excess of Carbohydrates

1. Excess carbohydrates increase the likelihood of obesity related diseases.

2. Lack of carbohydrates reduce body weight and reduces the ability to work.

Proteins
• Protein is a highly complex nitrogen- containing substances composed of various
associations of about 20 amino acids. The term protein was first used by J.
Berzilian (1938). Protein is not only the structural substances of the human body,
but also performs other functions. About 15% of the human body is made up of
protein.

Types of Proteins:
 Simple Protein

 Conjugated Protein

 Derived Protein

• Simple Protein : it is made up of only Amino acids.

E.g., albumins, globulins, glutelins, albuminoids, histones and protamines.

• Conjugated Protein : interaction with other chemical groups.

E.g., nucleoproteins, glycoproteins, phosphoproteins, hemoglobins and lipoproteins.

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• Derived Protein : derived from partial aqueous decomposition of natural proteins.

Functions of Protein
• It promotes growth and repair of cells.

• Some protein participates in the synthesis of hormones.

• Many complex proteins act as enzymes in metabolic processes.

• Protects the body in the form of antibodies.

• Sources of protein - egg, milk, almonds, pulses, fish, meat, cheese etc.

Fats
• It is the main food that provides energy to the body. It is made up of a combination
of glycerol and fatty acid. It can be emulsified by alkali.

Types of Fats
1. Animal Fats

2. Vegetable Fats

• Animal Fats : it can be categorized as milk fats, rendered fats, and fish oils.

• Vegetable Fats : these are two types Monounsaturated fat and

Polyunsaturated fat.

• Sources of fats- milk, cheese, egg, fishes, peanuts, coconut oil etc.

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Functions of Fats:
1. Provides energy to the body in a solid way.

2. This prevents the body’s heat from accumulating under the skin

3. This increases the flavour to foods.

4. It prevents injury to various body parts.

Disorders caused by lack of fats

1. Its make human body’s skin dry

2. There is a loss in weight

3. Growth of the body is blocked.

Excess of fats
1. Heart disease and high blood pressure occur.

Vitamins
• The term vitamin was first used by C. Funk in 1911. The organic matter is required
in small amounts in the human body. Vitamins are obtained from foods and lack of
this causes some diseases.

Types of Vitamins:
 Water Soluble Vitamins (VIT B & C)

 Fats Soluble Vitamins (VIT A, D, E & K)

Vitamins Disease Occur Sources

Vit A (Retinol) Night blindness carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach

Vit. B1 (Thymine) Its deficiency in body causes beri-
beri disease
Vit. B2 (Riboflavin) Lack of body weight
whole grains, meat, and fish
eggs, organ meats
(kidneys and liver), lean meats,
and milk

Vit. B3 (Niacin) Due to its deficiency, there is a yeast, meat, poultry, red fish
disease pellagra cause. cereals, legumes, and seeds.

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Vitamins Disease Occur Sources

Vit. B6 (Pyridoxine) Anemia occur some fish, peanuts, soya beans.

Vegetables, cereals, nuts such
Vit. B7 (Biotin) Weakness and loss of appetite as almonds, walnuts, peanuts,
yeast, and soybeans
Green leafy vegetables, beans,
Vit. B9 (Folic acid) Anemia occur lentils, asparagus, wheat germ,
yeast, peanuts, oranges, and
strawberries

Vit. B12 Anemia occur Meat, poultry, fish.

(Cyanocobalamin)
citrus fruit, such as oranges and
Vit. C (Ascorbic Scurvy occur lemon, gooseberry
acid)

Vit. D (Calciferol) Causes rickets, Osteomalacia sunlight

Wheat germ oil, Sunflower,
safflower, and soybean oil.
Vit. E (Tocopherol) Fertility decrease Sunflower seeds, Almonds.
Peanuts, peanut butter.

Vit. K (Piloquilone) Blood clots does not form leafy green vegetables

Functions of Vitamins :
 Vitamins essential in metabolic activity.

 They are related to the breakdown of carbohydrates, protein and fats in the
body.

 They release energy, CO2 and water as the end products of metabolism.

Minerals
• Mineral salts are inorganic substances. At least 29 elements are found in the
human body.

Helpful in controlling blood pressure. Transmission of nerve impulses in the

Sodium
nervous system. Main sources are common salt, fish, milk, eggs, etc.

Potassium Maintaining the electrolyte balance in the body

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It combines bones and teeth with vit. D.

Calcium
Main sources are milk, fish, grains etc.

Phosphorus Important for the development of bones

Anemia deficiency occurs.

Iron
Main sources are grams, spinach etc.

Its deficiency causes goitre disease

Iodine
Main sources are iodine salt, vegetables etc.

Water
• Water is an important part of the human body. About 65 to 75% of the human body
weight is water. Dehydration can lead to death of the human being. Water
regulates human body temperature by heat and vapour. Generally, an adult person
should drink 4 to 5 liters of water per day.

Facts
1. Foods that are rich in antioxidants are found in Vitamin A, C, E, and
Selenium rich foods.

2. Vitamins and Minerals have no calories.

3. An adult person needs about 20mg of iron in one day.

4. Normally, the average young person doing a normal job needs 3000 to 3500
calories of energy-producing food.

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