Ch. 11 Nutrients and Diets
Nutrition
Includes all body processes relating to food, such as digestion, absorption, metabolism, circulation, and elimination, which allow the body to use food for energy, health, and growth.
Digestion
The process by which the body breaks down food into smaller parts, changes it chemically, and moves it through the digestive system.
Absorption
The process in which blood or lymph capillaries pick up digested nutrients, which are then carried by the circulatory system to every cell in the body.
Metabolism
The process in which nutrients are used by cells for building tissue, providing energy, and regulating body functions.
Peristalsis
A rhythmic, wavelike motion of the muscles that moves food through the
Wellness
A state of good health with optimal body function.
Nutritional Status
The state or condition of an individual's nutrition.
Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)
The rate at which the body uses energy just for maintaining its own tissue without doing any voluntary work.
Body Mass Index (BMI)
A calculation that measures weight in relation to height and correlates this with body fat.
Calorie
A unit used to measure the amount of heat produced during metabolism, representing the energy content of food.
Essential Nutrients
Chemical elements found in food used by the body to perform various functions; they are divided into six groups: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and water.
Carbohydrates
The major source of readily usable human energy, commonly called starches or sugars.
Lipids
Organic compounds
proteins
the basic components of all body cells. They are essential for building and repairing tissue, regulating body functions, producing antibodies that help prevent infection and disease, and providing energy and heat.
Vitamins
organic compounds that are essential to life.
Minerals
inorganic (nonliving) elements found in all body tissues.
Antioxidants
organic molecules that help protect the body from harmful chemicals called free radicals.
Cholesterol
is a sterol lipid found in body cells and animal products.
Cellulose
is the fibrous, indigestible form of plant carbohydrate.
hypertension
high blood pressure; may be caused by an excess amount of fat or salt in the diet;
atherosclerosis
condition in which arteries are
narrowed by the accumulation of fatty substances
Diabetes Mellitus:
A metabolic disease caused by insufficient secretion or use of insulin, leading to increased blood glucose levels.
Osteoporosis
contidio where bones are porous and break easily
Malnutrition
the state of poor nutrition; may be caused by poor diet or illness.
Overweight
A body weight 10% to 20% greater than the average recommended weight, or a BMI from 25 to 29.9.