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The Relationship of
Nutrition and Health

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 Objectives

• Name the six classes of nutrients and their primary

functions.
• Recognize common characteristics of well-nourished
people.
• Recognize the symptoms of malnutrition.
• Describe ways in which nutrition and health are
related.
• List the four basic steps in nutrition assessment.
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 WELLNESS
• A way of life that integrates body, mind,
and spirit.
• This can be accomplished through lifestyle
changes.

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NUTRIENTS AND THEIR
FUNCTIONS

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 Nutrients

• Chemical substances necessary for life

• Functions
– Provide energy
– Build and repair tissue
– Regulate body processes: circulation, respiration,
digestion, and elimination

(continues)
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(continued)

Nutrients
6 classes
1. Carbohydrates (CHO)
2. Fats (lipids)
3. Proteins
4. Vitamins
5. Minerals
6. Water
2 categories
1. Organic nutrients
2. Inorganic nutrients
(continues)
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1-7
(continued)

Nutrients

• No nutrient can work alone.

Essential nutrients:
• Those found only in foods
• There are about 40 of them, and
they are found in all six nutrient
classes.
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 Organic Nutrients
• Organic
– Must be broken down before use
– Contains carbon, hydrogen, and
oxygen
– Function: provide energy,
regulate body processes, and
repair tissues
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 INORGANIC NUTRIENTS

• In simplest form when

ingested
• Function: regulate body
processes

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 Carbohydrates
• Provide major source of
energy
• Examples: cereal grains,
vegetables, fruits, nuts, and
sugars

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 FATS (LIPIDS)
• Provide energy
• Highest kilocalorie value
• Sources: meats, milk, cream,
butter, cheese, egg yolks, oils,
nuts
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 Proteins
• Build and repair body tissues
• Provide energy
• Only one of the six nutrients that
contain nitrogen
• Sources: meats, fish, poultry, eggs,
milk, cheese, corn, grains, nuts,
and seeds 1-13
 Vitamins
• Organic compounds
• Regulate body processes
• Examples: vitamins A, B, C,
D, E, and K
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 Minerals
• Inorganic compounds
• Regulate body processes
• Examples: calcium, phosphorus,
potassium, sodium, chloride, iron,
magnesium, and zinc

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 Water
• Major constituent of all
living cells
• Composed of hydrogen
and oxygen
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 The Six Essential Nutrient
Classes and Their Functions

 Organic  Function
nutrients
 Carbohydrates  Provide energy
 Fats  Provide energy

 Proteins  Build and repair

tissues and provide

energy
 Vitamins  Regulate body

processes
(continues)
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 The Six Essential Nutrient
(continued)

Classes and Their

Functions
• Inorganic • Function
nutrients – Regulate body
– Minerals processes
– Regulate body
– Water processes

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