Importance of Macro and Micronutrients - Blog 3

Identify the names, functions, and sources of essential macro- and micronutrients.

Nutrients are chemical substances that come from the foods we eat. Nutrients provide the energy for our bodies to function properly. Simply put, without these nutrients, our bodies will shut down and die. Macronutrients consist of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and water. They are called macronutrients because our bodies require them in large quantities for fuel. They are essential for the body to grow, repair and develop new tissues, conduct nerve impulses and regulate life process (Sizer & Whitney, 2013). Micronutrients consist of vitamins and minerals and only need to be consumed in small amounts. Minerals such as zinc and iodine are necessary for brain function. Vitamins such as A, D, E, K, and B-complex vitamins are essential for normal metabolism, growth and development, and regulation of cell function (FIT DAY, 2013).  

Explain the digestion, absorption, and metabolism of the macronutrients (carbohydrate, protein, and fat). Make sure to identify the parts of the body involved in these processes.

The purpose of the digestive system is to break down food into nutrients. The body then uses these nutrients for energy, growth, and cell repair. Food moves through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract for digestion. The GI tract consists of hollow and solid organs. Hollow organs include the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and anus. Solid organs include the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, 2013).  The digestive system also has many different acids and enzymes used to break down food. The body breaks down nutrients from food into carbohydrates, protein, and fats by chemical digestion. These nutrients are converted into smaller molecules that can be absorbed and utilized by the cells. Chemical digestion uses water and digestive enzymes to break down the complex molecules (Nutrition and Well-Being, 2015). The chemical digestion begins in the mouth. There is an enzyme in saliva that immediately begins to break down starch and sugar. The stomach’s core function is to digest protein. This is done by a powerful acid mix made up of water, enzymes, and hydrochloric acid. In addition, fat is the last nutrient to leave the stomach. The small intestine completes the chemical digestion. As nutrients begin to digest, other hormones are signaled and work together to support the work of the digestive enzymes (Sizer & Whitney, 2013). Once the digestion process is completed, the body awaits the delivery of the nutrients. 

References

CrashCourse. (2012, February 13). Biological Molecules - You Are What You Eat: Crash Course Biology #3 [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8WJ2KENlK0

FIT DAY. (2013). Micronutrients: What They Are and Why They’re Essential / Nutrition / Vitamins and Minerals. Retrieved from http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/vitamins-minerals/micronutrients-what-they-are-and-why-theyre-essential.html#b

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2013, September 18). Your Digestive System and How It Works. Retrieved from http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-topics/Anatomy/your-digestive-system/Pages/anatomy.aspx#points 

Nutrition and Well-Being. (2015). Digestion and Absorption - food, nutrition, body, carbohydrate, protein, fat, nutrients, eating. Retrieved from http://www.faqs.org/nutrition/Diab-Em/Digestion-and-Absorption.html 

Sizer, F. & Whitney, E. (2013).  Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies (13th ed.).  Mason, OH: Cengage Learning.