Nutrients as Raw Materials for Health
Health depends upon a dietary intake of high quality nutrients in sufficient and
proportionate quantities.
The articles in this section describe the main classifications of nutrients, and
their functions. Besides water there are five groups.
Proteins and Amino Acids
Our cells are constantly manufacturing a huge range of proteins - complex
molecules built out of chemical units called amino acids. Some proteins play a
structural role - an example is collagen, which acts as an intercellular
scaffolding. other proteins lay functional roles - examples are haemoglobin
which binds and transports oxygen, and insulin which is a hormone or signalling
molecule. There are 22 varieties of amino acids, and we obtain them from protein
in our diet.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are our main source of energy. The most basic carbohyrdrates are
simple sugars such as glucose. More complex carbohydrates are chains of sugars.
Actually sugars can be harmful when their concentration gets too high. This can
happen when we eat refined carbohydrates and sugary foods - that's why it's
better to eat complex, slow-releasing wholefoods. Excess sugar is converted to
fat.
Fats
Fats are unfortunately seen as something to be avoided. In fact there are a range
of types of fats, and some of them, the Essential Fatty Acids, are just that -
essential. EFAs such as omega 3's are used to build complex structures such as
cell membranes. Saturated fats, on the other hand, can only be used for energy.
Vitamins
These are substances needed only in small amounts. They generally aid the many
different chemical transformations going on in our cells. Some vitamins act as
antioxidants. Many people are deficient in vitamins.
Minerals
Like vitamins, minerals are often needed to promote chemical reactions. Some
minerals are used structurally, for example calcium in bones, or iron in blood.
Water and Hydration
Perhaps the most essential nutrient is water. Each cell in our body is like a
minature chemical plant - thousands of biochemical reactions take place every
second. The cell depends upon a steady through-flow of fluid, which both
delivers new raw materials and removes toxic by-products.