glossary
nutrient
Nutrients are essential components of our diet that are necessary for growth, energy production and the maintenance of bodily functions. There are two types of nutrients: micronutrients and macronutrients.
macronutrients
Macronutrients are nutrients that are needed in larger amounts to provide energy and build body tissue. There are three types of macronutrients: carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Carbohydrates are the body's main source of energy and should make up a large proportion of your daily food intake. Proteins are important for building muscle tissue and regulating metabolism. Fats serve as energy stores and are necessary for the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. A balanced diet should contain a balanced amount of all three macronutrients.
proteins
- Vegetable Proteins
- Animal Proteins
- structure of proteins
- Essential Amino Acids
- isoleucine
- leucine
- lysine
- methionine
- phenylalanine
- threonine
- tryptophan
- valine
- Semi-essential amino acids
- arginine
- histidine
carbohydrates
- Vegetable carbohydrates
- Animal carbohydrates
- buildup of carbohydrates
- Simple sugars (monosaccharides)
- Double sugars (disaccharides)
- triple sugars (trisaccharides)
- Multiple sugars (polysaccharides)
- cyclodextrins
fats
- Vegetable fats
- Animal fat
- build-up of fats
- Saturated Fatty Acids
- Unsaturated fatty acids
- Monounsaturated fatty acids
- Polyunsaturated fatty acids
- Essential Fatty Acids
- linoleic acid
- α-linolenic acid
micronutrients
Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals that are needed in small amounts to perform important functions in the body. Vitamins support the metabolism, the immune system and bone formation. Minerals are responsible for muscle contraction, nerve conduction and regulating water balance in the body. Important micronutrients include vitamin C, iron, calcium, magnesium and zinc. A balanced diet is important to ensure the body is getting adequate micronutrients.
vitamins
- Fat-soluble vitamins
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin D
- vitamin E
- vitamin k
- Water-soluble vitamins
- Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
- Vitamin B3 (nicotinic acid, niacin)
- Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin B7 (biotin, vitamin H)
- Vitamin B9 (folic acid)
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
minerals
- set elements
- Calcium (Ca)
- chlorine (Cl)
- Potassium (K)
- Magnesium (Mg)
- Sodium (Na)
- Phosphorus (P)
- Sulfur (S)
- trace elements
- Essential trace elements
- cobalt
- iron (Fe)
- iodine (I)
- copper (Cu)
- Manganese (Mn)
- Molybdenum (Mo)
- Selenium (Se)
- Zinc (Zn)
- Probably essential trace elements
- Chromium (Cr)
- Fluorine (F)
- boron (B)
- Silicon (Si)
- vanadium (V)
- Possibly essential trace elements
- Arsenic (As)
- Bromine (Br)
- Lithium (Li)
- Nickel (Ni)
- Rubidium (Rb)
- Tin (Sn)
