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Biology Health Nutrition

NewNutrition Essentials

The Building Blocks of Nutrition Science

PHIL VON HEYDEBRECKAuthor
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Anyone trying to improve how they eat by understanding nutrition science is bound to come across some potentially confusing terminology. Understanding the basic building blocks of nutrition and of the human body can help you navigate through the jargon and figure out how to improve your diet. This stream provides an overview of the main micronutrients — particularly the essential vitamins and minerals. It then takes a detailed look at the three main macronutrients — carbohydrates, protein, and fat.

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Macronutrients, vitamins and minerals are the building blocks of nutrition
Food contains macronutrients and micronutrients that have different functions in the body
Essential nutrients must be obtained from the diet
Macronutrients make up the bulk of the diet, providing the body with energy and raw materials
Vitamins are organic compounds derived from biological organisms like plants and animals
Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the body, so toxicity is a risk if too much is taken
Water-soluble vitamins must be replenished regularly by the diet
Minerals are inorganic
Minerals are categorized based on the amount humans require per day
Fat is an essential part of the human diet
Dietary fat is not the same as body fat
Dietary fat is a macronutrient with important functions in our body
Dietary fats are composed primarily of triglycerides
Dietary fats are a mix of different triglycerides
Nutrition science has explored the differences between types of dietary fat
Fatty acids can be differentiated by their length, number of double bonds and saturation levels
The word "omega" in relation to fatty acids refers to the location of the double bonds
The ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 may influence inflammation
The distinction between saturated and unsaturated fat has been emphasized due to the fight against cardiovascular disease
Saturated fat was replaced by vegetable oils and carbohydrates, leading to negative side-effects
Protein builds a healthy body
The body needs protein for growth and maintenance
Protein is a source of essential amino acids
There is a recommended minimum for protein, but consuming more can be beneficial for some people
Some research has indicated that protein might accelerate aging
Carbohydrates are the body's most readily available energy source
Carbohydrates provide energy to the body from a wide variety of food sources
Types of carbohydrate can be differentiated by the complexity of their structure
Glucose is a monosaccharide and the primary source of energy for the body
Digestion of carbohydrates leads to increased blood sugar and an insulin response
Carbohydrates that are easily digested increase blood sugar leading to an insulin response
Starch and fiber are polysaccharides with a very different effect on blood glucose
The glycemic index is a tool to select carbohydrates and minimize blood glucose fluctuations
Fructose is not measured by the glycemic index
The Glycemic Load was created to overcome the serving size problem
Sugar consumption is increasing, despite indications that high-doses are toxic and addictive
Sugar developed from a fodder crop to a global commodity
Global sugar supply and consumption have skyrocketed
Fructose was once scarce but is now a large part of human diets
Unlike glucose, fructose must be metabolized in the liver
Too much sugar has a negative effect on health
Sugar has many negative effects on the body
Sugar can be toxic in high doses
Sugar stimulates the reward system much like other addictive substances
Criticism of sugar is not new
Regulation may be necessary to curb high sugar consumption
Sugar should be restricted to 10% of daily food intake