Everyone knows that the body needs essential nutrients to function properly. But what are they, and how do they support the body’s functioning?
Essential nutrients are vital for quality of life. They help the body to grow, develop and function properly. Without them, the body will not be able to function at its full potential. Essential nutrients are categorised into macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients are things like proteins, carbohydrates and fats. They are used as sources of energy in the body, and also to build and repair tissue. Micronutrients are essential for the body’s ability to produce energy, and help to keep the cells in the body functioning properly. They include vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids. These can be found in many foods, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and oils.
What are the Five Most Essential Nutrients?
There are five key nutrients that we should consider when trying to eat a balanced diet – they are carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. Each of these has a specific function in the body. These nutrients can be found in many different foods and it’s important to eat a variety of different foods every day to get all the nutrients that you need.
Carbohydrates are the body’s main source of energy. They are made up of sugar and starch and are found in starchy foods like bread, pasta and potatoes. They are also found in fruit and milk products. There are two types of carbohydrates – simple and complex. Simple carbohydrates are usually found in sugary foods, such as candy or soft drinks. Complex carbohydrates are made up of sugars linked together and are found in whole grains, cereals and vegetables. As these are broken down in the body, they provide energy for the cells to use in carrying out their functions. They also help to maintain a normal level of blood glucose in healthy people.
Proteins are the body’s building blocks. They are essential for the development and function of muscles, blood cells and other tissues. The two main groups of proteins are amino acids and polypeptides. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and are required in order for your body to make its own proteins. They are found in every cell of the body and form long chains that join together to form molecules called polypeptides. Polypeptides are the main components of proteins and are responsible for their physical characteristics, such as shape and strength. The main types of proteins are the non-essential and the essential amino acids. Nonessential proteins are not involved in metabolic processes and can be manufactured by your body from other compounds if necessary. Essential proteins cannot be made by your body and must be obtained from your diet. Examples of foods that contain essential proteins are milk, meat, fish and eggs.
Fats (also known as lipids) are an important part of a healthy diet because they provide energy and help to provide protection to the body against disease and infection. There are many different fats including saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Saturated fats are found in animal products, such as meat and cheese. Monounsaturated fats are found mainly in vegetable oils such as olive oil. Polyunsaturated fats are found in plant-based oils, such as soybean oil. Not all fats are bad for you. In fact, some fats are necessary for your good health. Fats are also used to protect the body from heart disease and are an important part of the diet when you are trying to lose weight. When consumed in moderation, healthy fats can help you to feel full, which can help you lose weight and manage your weight in the long term.
Vitamins perform many roles within the body. They are essential in ensuring bones, skin and soft tissue heals effectively as well as working to support the immune system. Vitamins are mainly known by their initials – A, B, B12, C, D, E and K, and can be found in foods such as fruits, vegetables, meat, nuts, seeds and eggs.
Minerals help to support the functioning of the body by building strong bones, turning energy foods into energy and controlling fluids inside and outside of cells. Magnesium, potassium, beta-carotene and iron are common examples of minerals, and are found in foods such as: dairy, leafy greens, soya, cereals and fish. Minerals often contain antioxidants which help the body prevent and delay cellular damage.
Water is another nutrient that we need to remember and is essential for every bodily function. It is needed to maintain the balance of body fluids (including blood plasma and saliva), for the absorption of nutrients and for the elimination of waste from the body. Many functions of the body depend on water. For example, the muscles and organs in the body need water to function. Your brain is made up of about 73% water and needs water to function properly. If you become dehydrated, you can experience tiredness and fatigue.
Although a healthy, balanced diet often means the body is getting the variety of nutrients that it needs, it can be the case that their levels need supplementing. People will often feel a little fatigued or nor quite themselves if their nutrient levels are deficient, with physical concerns also being apparent; for example: hair may look lank, skin may look dull, nails may be soft and brittle or joints can ache.
Face Medical can help to boost your inner health through IV Infusions which provide a quick and easy way to top up your nutrients and restore your body’s functioning.