The Components of the human diet By Demetra and Raphael

The main components: Food Energy Fats/lipids Sodium Carbohydrates Fibres Proteins Vitamins Minerals They are also called Nutrients

A Nutrient It is a chemical substance found in food that is used by the body Essential Nutriments cannot be formed by the body: Water Vitamins Proteins (polymers of amino acids) Some unsaturated fatty acids -> Proteins are polymers of amino acids Some amino acids Some Minerals

A Nutrient It is a chemical substance found in food that is used by the body Non-essential Nutrients can be replaced or formed by the body: Carbohydrates / Sugars Other minerals Saturated fatty acids / fats Other amino acids

Fatty Acids Basic:

Efficient Energy Storers Together with the Coenzyme A (CoA):

Efficient Energy Storers We also know that the Plasma membrane of cells is made of a phospholipid bilayer. There is another use of fatty acids: They are used for cholesterol, building the hydrophobic part of the layer, giving it stability. They are also used as lipid hormones such as steroids

Omega 3 Fats The Omega number tells us the position of the double bond of the unsaturated fatty acid: Omega 3: A large intake can prevent the blood from clotting, preventing heart attacks and strokes

Cis and Trans: Trans fats can be dangeous since the body thinks they are saturated acids, but then it doesnt know what do do with them

Fatty AcidSourcesPossible effects Omega-3 Fish, Nuts, Vegetable oils Reduces blood pressure /clotting and tryglicerides Trans Fats Partially hyrdogenated oils, marrgarines, deep fried foods Reduces helpful Cholesterol, increases blood pressure Saturated Fats Meat, Seafood, Diary products, Coconut oil Can lead atheroscleriosis and to strokes and heart attacks

Vitamins !! Vitamins are organic compounds (made of C, O, H) Vitamin C:

VitaminFunctionSources Vitamin AEye function, vision, hair, skin Dairy, Meat, Fish Vitamin BNervous system, control, digestion, coenzymes (enzyme assistants) Dairy, meat, spinach, Brocoli, Salads, Vitamin CImmune system, healing, anti.oxidants Fruits (especially citrus) Vitamin DCalcium absorption: Bones and teeth Seaweeds, seafood, fish, dairy

The RDI It is the recommended daily intake of a nutrient and is set by government health bodies and the world health organisation A lack of vitamin C in your diet can lead to pale skin, a slow scurvy healing process and sunken eyes

Vitamin C The RDI for Vitamin C is ml per day, this is explained below:

Vitamin C Excessive doses of Vit C are usually just excreted by the body, However, An excessive intake of vitamin C can „spoil“ the body so it starts getting used to high levels of a nutrient, the body adapts by making the absorbing of the nutriment less efficient

Vitamin D It is produced by the skin Paler skin produces more vitamin d than darker skin. Therefore, darker skinned people need more vit d in their diet, especially in colder countries Paler skin has a higher risk of developing skin cancer, so in very hot countries, these poeple need to eat extra vit do to prevent this risk.

Minerals Minerals are ionic elemants that are positively or negatively charged

Minerals Iodine is used by the thyroid gland to produce hormones which are responsible for monitoring metabolism and body temperature Calcium is essential for cell physiology, where movement of the calcium ion Ca 2+ into and out of the cytoplasm functions as a signal for many cellular processes. As a major material used in mineralization of bones and shells, calcium is the most abundant metal by mass in many animals.

Dietary fibre Fibre itself is not absorbed into the blood and it is not digested However, many high-fibre foods (including vegetables) are packed with other useful nutrients It mainly works for the stomach, but it also helps regulating blood sugar and can reduce blood cholesterol by blocking uptake of lipids in the diet

Phenylketonuria (PKU) PKU is a genetic disease caused by a mutated gene on chromosome 12. Normally, phenylalanine is converted into tyrosine by an enzyme, allowing normal brain development. People with PKU cannot convert phenylalanine. When the body tries to get rid of the excess, toxins are produced which affect brain development. It can lead to severe mental problems and learning difficulties. Roughly 1/18000 babies is born with the recessive gene. Children with PKU should follow a special diet low in protein to avoid excessive phenylalanine.