Classes of Nutrients: Part 2
Description
This article is from the Health Articles series.
Classes of Nutrients: Part 2
Proteins
Proteins help the body to grow and maintain itself, allowing it to perform vital functions such as cell repair, blood clotting and enzyme production. Proteins are made up of amino acids, and the body needs 20 different kinds of them to function. Eleven are considered non-essential because our bodies make them. The nine we do need to consume are called essential amino acids, and when we consume a balance of them, our bodies can synthesize or make "complete" protein.
Fats
Fat is an essential part of all cells. It aids the immune system, transports fat-soluble vitamins, helps form cell membranes and insulates body organs. Fatty acids, which are part of the structure of fats, differ from each other in their chemical makeup. At room temperature, saturated fatty acids usually form solid fats, whereas polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids remain as liquid oils. Our bodies need the equivalent of only about 1 tablespoon of polyunsaturated plant oil (corn, soybean, and safflower oils) a day because it provides the essential fatty acids which the body cannot make. The American Heart Association recommends limiting fat to 30% of your total calorie intake.** It is important to limit our fat intake since a diet high in fat contributes to obesity, coronary heart disease and other health problems.
Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamins are chemical compounds that yield no energy, but are essential for many physiological functions. Vitamins contribute to energy-yielding chemical reactions in the body and promote growth and development. Minerals also play an important role in maintaining vital body functions. For example, the mineral copper enables enzymes to function; iron is a component of hemoglobin in red blood cells; and minerals such as sodium, potassium, and calcium aid in the transfer of nerve impulses throughout the body.
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