Basic Concepts of Food and Nutrition

Overview

This lecture discusses the main components of the food and nutrition chapter, vitamins, minerals, their sources, functions, and deficiency diseases.

Role of Food and Nutrition

• Nutrition is the supply of essential elements for body growth and health.
• Various symptoms appear in the body due to nutritional deficiency.

Food Components

• Carbohydrates (CHO) are the main source of energy, such as rice, bread.
• Proteins help in body building and cell division, such as lentils, eggs, milk.
• Fat stores energy in the body, produces heat, and helps in the absorption of certain vitamins.
• Vitamins and minerals are needed in small amounts and regulate various important functions of the body.
• Water makes up 60-75% of the body.

Classification and Functions of Vitamins

• Fat-soluble vitamins: A, D, E, K; stored in the body.
• Water-soluble vitamins: B-complex (B1, B2, B3, B6, B12), C; not stored in the body, excreted quickly.
• Vitamin A deficiency causes night blindness, D deficiency causes rickets and osteomalacia.
• Vitamin E helps in cell formation and hair growth.
• Vitamin K helps in blood clotting.
• Vitamin C deficiency causes scurvy, B1 deficiency causes beriberi.

Importance of Minerals

• Iodine deficiency causes goiter, iron deficiency causes anemia.
• Minerals and water are essential for normal body functions and nervous system activities.

Diseases and Symptoms

• Protein deficiency causes kwashiorkor and marasmus.
• Carbohydrate deficiency can cause hypoglycemia.
• Mineral and water deficiency causes dehydration.

Key Terms & Definitions

• Nutrition — intake of essential food components for the body.
• Carbohydrates (CHO) — main source of energy.
• Protein — component that helps in body building and cell regeneration.
• Vitamin — organic compounds necessary for regulating body functions.
• Mineral — regulatory elements in various body functions.
• Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) — rate of energy expenditure at rest.
• Night blindness — reduced ability to see at night due to vitamin A deficiency.

Action Items / Next Steps

• Note the names of diseases and causes related to vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
• Re-read the chapter and separately write down the symptoms of illnesses.
• Memorize the main sources and functions of each component.