Rabu, 23 Juni 2010

The super six nutrients you need

Every day your body needs certain essential nutrients that it cannot manufacture for itself. Six nutrients that you need are carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water. All the nutrients have specific functions and are found in a variety of food items. By eating lots of different foods, you will get the nutrients you require to stay healthy.

Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for all body function and muscular exertion. Carbohydrate is stored in your muscles and liver as glycogen.

Proteins
Proteins are the basic material of every body cell. Proteins are used for building and maintaining body tissues. Proteins are composed of amino acids, nine of which are essential to the body. It's broken down by the body as a source of energy when the supply of carbohydrates and fats is inadequate.

Vitamins
Your body needs at least 11 specific vitamins: vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, vitamin C, and the members of the B vitamin family. Vitamins are essential for growth, vitality, and health and are helpful in digestion, elimination, and resistance to disease.

Fats
Fat is nutrient necessary for your health. Fats carry fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K along with some phytochemicals, and assist in their absorption. Fats provide about 60 percent of the body's energy requirement during rest.

Minerals
Many minerals have been proven essential to human nutrition, and there are others with unknown essentiality. At least 16 minerals are essential to health; among them are sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium.

Water
Water is an essential component of body structure. Water is our most important nutrient, and we cannot survive long without it.