A nutrient is any food substance that is necessary for contributing to an organism's growth and metabolism. There are 6 nutrient groups, classified as those that provide energy and others that support metabolic processes in our body. Some of these are very important because they cannot be produced in the body and have to be taken from a food source. Nutrition is the taking in and use of nourishing materials by the body. Different organisms have different ways to take in nutrients, like plants taking nutrients through photosynthesis and the use of their roots. Nutrition is also a science that focuses and studies the relationship between diet, health and disease. ...view middle of the document...
There are also more complex carbohydrates like starches and fibers, which provide longer-lasting energy. These more complex types are stored in the body as glycogen.Proteins: These are organic compounds, that provide the building blocks for enzyms and other proteins in the body. Our body doesn't make certain amino acids (building blocks), and so we get these amino acids with our diet.Fats: fats are basic nutrients made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. They are used for cells to properly function and maintenance of body temperature. The body does not make some fatty acids and again we look for our diet to supply these. Triglycerides make up 95% of our total body fat, and cholestetrol makes up the rest.Nutrients that supply metabolism:Minerals: Essential to metabolism. Found as salts, or ions like copper and iron. List of some Minerals•Chromium•Cobalt•Copper•Fluorine•Iodine•Iron•Manganese•Molybdenum•Selenium•ZincVitamins: organic compounds essential to the body's functions, usually acting as coenzymesWater: Very important necessity for normal growth and metabolism and other body functions.Any classification of "nutrients" is likely to be arbitrary given the status of nutrition as a developing science. Researchers are becoming more aware of a wider range of nutrients essential for health.Bibliography:southwest.mpls.k12.mn.us/sites/ad26dc17-c8bc-4970-8795-bae99167aab3/uploads/Option_A.pptwww.rodsmith.org.uk/alternative-health/Alternative-health-glossaryN-Q.htmMicrosoft Encarta Encyclopedia 2001
