HEALTH TIPS & GUIDES

What Really a Nutrient is?

Nutrition is the main element that decides your health. Nutrients consist of many elements such as carbohydrates, vitamin, fats etc. Nutrients are of three types – macronutrients, micronutrients and phytonutrients.

Macronutrients –

As name suggests these are macro means big. These are carbohydrates, fats and proteins. We need them in large amount for proper functioning of body parts. All non-zero calorie foods contain some amount of these nutrients. All these nutrients are very important and necessary for health. However, people who have weight gain problem avoid these because it contains fat, which help in increasing weight.

Proteins help in building muscles, tissues, skin and it increases immune system of our body too. Proteins are also act as source of energy sometimes, but it can convert itself into fat if these are present in large amount. Carbohydrates contain starch, sugar that gives us energy but if these are, also present in are amount these can convert into fat. Fats are the outer part of our body also called membrane. It surrounds all cells present in our body. If they are present in large amount, it can cause weight gain problem.

Micronutrients –

We need these nutrients in small amount. Therefore, these are known micro. It contains vitamins and minerals that we require in day-to-day life.

Vitamins are classified in two categories:

1. water-soluble

2. fat-soluble

Water-soluble vitamins c and b- complex have importance for our body. Deficiency of these can result very serious problems. Fat-soluble vitamins A, D, K and E are stored in fat tissues. From food, we get vitamin A, E and our body can create vitamin D, K itself. However, our need for these vitamins cannot be fully satisfied from just food. We need multivitamin tablets for these nutrients.

Similarly, minerals are divided in two categories:

1. Major

2. Trace.

Major minerals like chloride, calcium, magnesium etc. helps protecting bones, teeth and muscles. Our body needs all these minerals in very large amount. Trace minerals are like iron, zinc, copper etc. are also needed for body functioning.

Phytonutrients –

We can get these nutrients from fresh food and vegetable. These are found in plants means “phyto” so known as Phytonutrients. Some are lutein, carotenoids, lycopene etc. These contain large number of antioxidants. These help protecting our body cells. It is not necessary to get all nutrients but if you can take, at least five of them can keep you healthy.

Generally, all food that is artificially made is good for health. They are checked by health organization of that country. However, before buying these types of you should confirm and check about those products.