Nutrients

Nutrients

The science of nutrition historically has been based on the nutrients found in food. Nutrients are the chemical substances supplied by food that body needs for growth. Maintenance, and repair. Nutrients can be into six groups :

1. Carbohydrates ( often abbreviated as CHO )

2. Fats ( lipids)

3. Proteins

4. Minerals

5. Vitamins

6. Water

Nutrients are considered either essential or nonessential, depending on whether the body can or cannot manufacture them. When the body requires a nutrient for growth or maintenance but lacks the ability to manufacture it in amounts sufficient to meet bodily needs, this essential nutrient must be supplied by foods in the diet. Vitamin C, Vitamin A and calcium are 3 of the more than 40 essential nutrients. Nutrients not needed in the diet because the body can make them are called nonessential. For example, the amino acid alanine is a nonessential nutrient because the body can manufacture it from other raw materials.