ayush sharma

Date-11/7/16.                 👉Improvements in Foods Resources👈



Questions:-

08-JULY-2016


 SOURCE
NUTRIENTS 🎋🎋🎋🎋
 Air
 carbon, oxygen
 Water
 hydrogen, oxygen
 Soil
 (i) Macronutrients:
nitrogen, phosphorus,
potassium, calcium,
magnesium, sulphur
(ii) Micronutrients:
iron, manganese, boron,
zinc, copper,
molybdenum, chlorine
·                     There are sixteen nutrients which are essential for plants. Air supplies carbon and oxygen, hydrogen comes from water, and soil supplies the other thirteen nutrients to plants. Amongst these thirteen nutrients, six are required in large quantities and are therefore called macronutrients. The other seven nutrients are used by plants in small quantities and are therefore called micronutrients.

Shivansh shukla roll no. 47

      IMPROVEMENT IN FOOD RESOURCES 

Question - What are micronutrients and macronutrients ?

Answer - Micronutrients are the nutrients that are required by the plants in small quantities whereas macronutrients are nutrients needed by the plants in relatively large amounts.

MANJULA:9

What is a Nutrient?

A nutrient is a chemical substance that comes from the food you eat. The energy you need for the metabolic processes in your body and for maintaining a constant internal environment comes from these nutrients. So if you think about all the basic reactions going on in your body to keep you breathing, your heart beating, your brain working and allowing you to move about, they all derive their energy from nutrients.

What are Essential Nutrients?

Essential nutrients refers to classes of nutrients found in food. Essential nutrients are simply those that are vital for the normal growth, maintenance and development of the body.

There might be a slight confusion about essential nutrients that must be addressed. The term ‘essential’ when applied to amino acids and certain fatty acids, applies to those that need to be taken in the diet as they are not synthesized by the body. Essential amino acids include Methionine, Valine, Leucine, Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Tryptophan, Threonine and Lysine. Essential fatty acids are Linolenic acid, Linoleic acid and Arachidonic acid, to name a few.

The 6 Essential Nutrients you can’t live without

Again the term ‘essential’ implies that these six essential nutrients are necessary in order to maintain and develop a healthy body.

These are the 6 Essential Nutrients your body needs daily:

1. Proteins – they make up most of the cell structure including the cell membrane. Genetic information in the cell is stored as Protein in the form of DNA. All the enzymes, that catalyze metabolic reactions in the human body, are protein in nature.

2. Fats – are used in making steroids and hormones. Cholesterol also makes up the cell membrane and provides a degree of rigidity to it. Fats also serve as solvents for hormones and fat-soluble vitamins.

3. Carbohydrates – form the major part of stored food in the body for later use of energy. Glucose which is a monosaccharide is the body’s primary source of energy. When in excess, it is stored in the liver as Glycogen. Carbohydrates are also important for fat oxidation and can also be converted into protein.

4. Vitamins – are mostly co-enzymes which are required for the normal functioning of enzymes. Vitamin C and E are antioxidants, while Vitamin K is required for blood clotting. They cannot be synthesized in the body, so must be taken in the diet.

5. Minerals – are needed in small amounts to make co-factors. These are inorganic ions needed by the enzymes for activation. Other minerals are systemic electrolytes and essential in co-regulation of ATP.

6. Water – serves as a carrier, distributing nutrients to cells and removing wastes through urine. It is also a compulsory agent in the regulation of body temperature and ionic balance of the blood. Water is completely essential for the body’s metabolism and is also required for lubricant and shock absorber.

Of the six essential nutrients you just read about, 3 of them are called Macronutrients, while the other 2 are Micronutrients.

Macronutrients

Macronutrients include carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. They are called macronutrients as they are required in large amounts to fuel the body. Energy is measured in calories and they are essential for the body to grow, repair and develop new tissues, conduct nerve impulses and regulate life process.

• Carbohydrates – are required for energy. Glucose, which is a monosaccharide, is the most essential source of energy in the body. The brain works entirely on glucose alone. When an immediate source of energy is required, glucose is converted into glycogen which is stored in the liver. When energy is needed it is converted into glucose again and used to release energy. Carbohydrates provide 17 kilojoules of energy per gram.

• Fats – have the highest caloric content. This means they provide the largest amount of energy when burnt. When measured by a calorimeter, fats provide about 37 kilojoules per gram, making them twice as energy-rich than protein and carbohydrates. Extra fat is stored in adipose tissue and is burnt when the body has run out of carbohydrates. Fat is also needed to take up fat-soluble vitamins.

• Proteins–  are the third and last source of energy. They are the last to be used of all macronutrients. In cases of extreme starvation, the muscles in the body, that are made up of proteins, are used to provide energy. This is called muscle wasting. Proteins also provide 17 kilojoules per gram.

Is Water a Macronutrient?

You probably wonder if water should be included in this category. Water might not always be considered a macronutrient, but it sure is an essetial nutrient needed for all body functions in large amounts. For example the USDA lists water as part of Macronutrients (see here). Then again you have UNICEF not including water as not part of macronutrients.

Water is found in the body’s cells and transports nutrients to cells and removes toxins from our body. Water regulates the body temperature by our sweat. We get about 50% of the water we need from our food. Remember that water contains no calories.

Micronutrients

These nutrients include minerals and vitamins. Unlike macronutrients, these are required in very minute amounts. Together, they are extremely important for the normal functioning of the body. Their main function is to enable the many chemical reactions to occur in the body. Nevertheless micronutrients do not function for the provision of energy.

• Vitamins – are essential for normal metabolism, growth and development, and regulation of cell function. They work together with enzymes and other substances that are necessary for a healthy life. Vitamins are either fat-soluble or water-soluble. Fat soluble Vitamins can be stored in the fatty tissues in the body when in excess, and so are not excreted easily. This means that you do not need to eat them as often as Water soluble vitamins. The latter are excreted in urine when in excess and so need to be taken daily. Water soluble vitamins include Vitamin B and C. Green leafy vegetables are rich in Vitamin B, whereas Vitamin C is found abundantly in citrus fruits. Fat soluble vitamins are Vitamin A, D, E and K. Green leafy vegetables, milk and dairy products and plant oils provide these vitamins.

• Minerals – are found in ionized form in the body. They are further classified into macrominerals andmicrominerals (or trace minerals). Macrominerals present in the body include Calcium, Potassium, Iron, Sodium and Magnesium to name a few. Iron is a constituent of Hemoglobin which is present in blood. Hence macrominerals constitute a larger percent of the body and are needed in more amounts, as compared to micro minerals. Microminerals include Copper, Zinc, Cobalt, Chromium and Fluoride. They are mostly co-factors, and are necessary for the function of enzymes in the body, but are needed only in minor quantities. Approximately 4% of the body’s mass consists of minerals

MANJULA:9

What is a Nutrient?

A nutrient is a chemical substance that comes from the food you eat. The energy you need for the metabolic processes in your body and for maintaining a constant internal environment comes from these nutrients. So if you think about all the basic reactions going on in your body to keep you breathing, your heart beating, your brain working and allowing you to move about, they all derive their energy from nutrients.

What are Essential Nutrients?

Essential nutrients refers to classes of nutrients found in food. Essential nutrients are simply those that are vital for the normal growth, maintenance and development of the body.

There might be a slight confusion about essential nutrients that must be addressed. The term ‘essential’ when applied to amino acids and certain fatty acids, applies to those that need to be taken in the diet as they are not synthesized by the body. Essential amino acids include Methionine, Valine, Leucine, Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Tryptophan, Threonine and Lysine. Essential fatty acids are Linolenic acid, Linoleic acid and Arachidonic acid, to name a few.

The 6 Essential Nutrients you can’t live without

Again the term ‘essential’ implies that these six essential nutrients are necessary in order to maintain and develop a healthy body.

These are the 6 Essential Nutrients your body needs daily:

1. Proteins – they make up most of the cell structure including the cell membrane. Genetic information in the cell is stored as Protein in the form of DNA. All the enzymes, that catalyze metabolic reactions in the human body, are protein in nature.

2. Fats – are used in making steroids and hormones. Cholesterol also makes up the cell membrane and provides a degree of rigidity to it. Fats also serve as solvents for hormones and fat-soluble vitamins.

3. Carbohydrates – form the major part of stored food in the body for later use of energy. Glucose which is a monosaccharide is the body’s primary source of energy. When in excess, it is stored in the liver as Glycogen. Carbohydrates are also important for fat oxidation and can also be converted into protein.

4. Vitamins – are mostly co-enzymes which are required for the normal functioning of enzymes. Vitamin C and E are antioxidants, while Vitamin K is required for blood clotting. They cannot be synthesized in the body, so must be taken in the diet.

5. Minerals – are needed in small amounts to make co-factors. These are inorganic ions needed by the enzymes for activation. Other minerals are systemic electrolytes and essential in co-regulation of ATP.

6. Water – serves as a carrier, distributing nutrients to cells and removing wastes through urine. It is also a compulsory agent in the regulation of body temperature and ionic balance of the blood. Water is completely essential for the body’s metabolism and is also required for lubricant and shock absorber.

Of the six essential nutrients you just read about, 3 of them are called Macronutrients, while the other 2 are Micronutrients.

Macronutrients

Macronutrients include carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. They are called macronutrients as they are required in large amounts to fuel the body. Energy is measured in calories and they are essential for the body to grow, repair and develop new tissues, conduct nerve impulses and regulate life process.

• Carbohydrates – are required for energy. Glucose, which is a monosaccharide, is the most essential source of energy in the body. The brain works entirely on glucose alone. When an immediate source of energy is required, glucose is converted into glycogen which is stored in the liver. When energy is needed it is converted into glucose again and used to release energy. Carbohydrates provide 17 kilojoules of energy per gram.

• Fats – have the highest caloric content. This means they provide the largest amount of energy when burnt. When measured by a calorimeter, fats provide about 37 kilojoules per gram, making them twice as energy-rich than protein and carbohydrates. Extra fat is stored in adipose tissue and is burnt when the body has run out of carbohydrates. Fat is also needed to take up fat-soluble vitamins.

• Proteins–  are the third and last source of energy. They are the last to be used of all macronutrients. In cases of extreme starvation, the muscles in the body, that are made up of proteins, are used to provide energy. This is called muscle wasting. Proteins also provide 17 kilojoules per gram.

Is Water a Macronutrient?

You probably wonder if water should be included in this category. Water might not always be considered a macronutrient, but it sure is an essetial nutrient needed for all body functions in large amounts. For example the USDA lists water as part of Macronutrients (see here). Then again you have UNICEF not including water as not part of macronutrients.

Water is found in the body’s cells and transports nutrients to cells and removes toxins from our body. Water regulates the body temperature by our sweat. We get about 50% of the water we need from our food. Remember that water contains no calories.

Micronutrients

These nutrients include minerals and vitamins. Unlike macronutrients, these are required in very minute amounts. Together, they are extremely important for the normal functioning of the body. Their main function is to enable the many chemical reactions to occur in the body. Nevertheless micronutrients do not function for the provision of energy.

• Vitamins – are essential for normal metabolism, growth and development, and regulation of cell function. They work together with enzymes and other substances that are necessary for a healthy life. Vitamins are either fat-soluble or water-soluble. Fat soluble Vitamins can be stored in the fatty tissues in the body when in excess, and so are not excreted easily. This means that you do not need to eat them as often as Water soluble vitamins. The latter are excreted in urine when in excess and so need to be taken daily. Water soluble vitamins include Vitamin B and C. Green leafy vegetables are rich in Vitamin B, whereas Vitamin C is found abundantly in citrus fruits. Fat soluble vitamins are Vitamin A, D, E and K. Green leafy vegetables, milk and dairy products and plant oils provide these vitamins.

• Minerals – are found in ionized form in the body. They are further classified into macrominerals andmicrominerals (or trace minerals). Macrominerals present in the body include Calcium, Potassium, Iron, Sodium and Magnesium to name a few. Iron is a constituent of Hemoglobin which is present in blood. Hence macrominerals constitute a larger percent of the body and are needed in more amounts, as compared to micro minerals. Microminerals include Copper, Zinc, Cobalt, Chromium and Fluoride. They are mostly co-factors, and are necessary for the function of enzymes in the body, but are needed only in minor quantities. Approximately 4% of the body’s mass consists of minerals

ANVEKSHA;3

Types of nutrient[edit]

Main article: Nutrition

Good sources ofmagnesium: bran muffins, pumpkin seeds, barley, buckwheat flour, low-fat vanilla yogurt, trail mix, halibut steaks, garbanzo beans, lima beans, soybeans, and spinach

Macronutrients are defined in several different ways.^[4]

• The chemical elements humans consume in the largest quantities are carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulphur, orCHNOPS.
• The classes of chemical compounds humans consume in the largest quantities and which provide bulk energy are carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Water and atmospheric oxygen also must be consumed in large quantities, but are not always considered "food" or "nutrients".
• Calcium, salt (sodium and chloride), magnesium, and potassium (along with phosphorus and sulfur) are sometimes added to the list of macronutrients because they are required in large quantities compared to other vitamins and minerals. They are sometimes referred to as the macrominerals.

Substances that provide energy[edit]

• Carbohydrates are compounds made up of types of sugars. Carbohydrates are classified by their number of sugar units: monosaccharides(such as glucose and fructose), disaccharides (such as sucrose and lactose), oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides (such as starch,glycogen, and cellulose).
• Proteins are organic compounds that consist of amino acids joined by peptide bonds. The body cannot manufacture some of the amino acids(termed essential amino acids); the diet must supply them. Proteins, in nutrition, are broken down through digestion by proteases back into free amino acids.
• Fats consist of a glycerin molecule with three fatty acids attached. Fatty acids are unbranched hydrocarbon chains,1 connected by single bonds alone (saturated fatty acids) or by both double and single bonds (unsaturated fatty acids). Fats are needed to keep cell membranesfunctioning properly, to insulate body organs against shock, to keep body temperature stable, and to maintain healthy skin and hair. The body does not manufacture certain fatty acids (termed essential fatty acids) and the diet must supply them.

Although alcohol provides energy, and can thus be compared to macronutrients, it is not a substance that is essential for normal function. The acetic acid in vinegar also provides a similar amount of energy per gram, but again, it is not a nutrient because it is not essential for normal function.

Fat has an energy content of 9 kcal/g (~37.7 kJ/g); proteins and carbohydrates 4 kcal/g (~16.7 kJ/g). Ethanol (grain alcohol) has an energy content of 7 kcal/g (~29.3 kJ/g).^[5]

Substances that support metabolism[edit]

• Dietary minerals are generally trace elements, salts, or ions such as copper and iron. Some of these minerals are essential to human metabolism.
• Vitamins are organic compounds essential to the body. They usually act as coenzymes or cofactors for various proteins in the body.
• Water is an essential nutrient and is the solvent in which all the chemical reactions of life take place.

Main articles: Plant nutrition and Fertilizer

The strip of a green alga (Enteromorpha) along this shore indicates that there is a nearby source of nutrients (probably nitrates orammonia from a small estuary).

Plants absorb nutrients from the soil or the atmosphere, or from water (mainly aquatic plants). An exception are the carnivorous plants, which externally digest nutrients from animals before ingesting them.^[6]

The chemical elements consumed in the greatest quantities by plants are carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. These are present in the environment in the form of water and carbon dioxide; energy is provided by sunlight.^[7] Nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur are also needed in relatively large quantities. Together, the "Big Six" are the elemental macronutrients for all organisms,^[8] often represented by theacronym CHNOPS.^[9] Usually they are sourced from inorganic (e.g. carbon dioxide, water, nitrate, phosphate, sulfate) or organic (e.g.carbohydrates, lipids, proteins) compounds, although elemental diatomic molecules of nitrogen and (especially) oxygen are often used.

Other chemical elements are also necessary to carry out various life processes and build structures; see fertilizer and micronutrient for more information.

Rich sources of copper: oysters, beef or lamb liver, Brazil nuts, blackstrap molasses, cocoa, and black pepper. Good sources: lobster, nuts and sunflower seeds, green olives, and wheat bran.

Some of these are considered micronutrients in certain organisms. The mnemonic C. HOPKN'S CaFe Mg (to be used as C. Hopkins coffee mug) is used by some students to remember the list as: carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen, sulfur,calcium, iron, and magnesium. Silicon, chloride, sodium, copper, zinc, and molybdenum are sometimes also included, but are in other cases considered micronutrients.^[10]

Essential and non-essential nutrients[edit]

Main article: Essential nutrient

Nutrients are frequently categorized as essential and nonessential.

Essential nutrients[edit]

Essential nutrients are unable to be synthesized internally (either at all, or in sufficient quantities), and so must be consumed by an organism from its environment.^[11] Nonessential nutrients are those nutrients that can be made by the body; they may often also be absorbed from consumed food.^[11] The majority of animals ultimately derive their essential nutrients from plants,^[11] though some animals may consume mineral-based soils to supplement their diet.

For humans, these include essential fatty acids, essential amino acids, vitamins, and certain dietary minerals. Oxygen and water are also essential for human survival, but are generally not considered "food" when consumed in isolation. There are no "essential carbohydrates", animals can synthesize all the types of carbohydrates needed for growth.

Humans can derive energy from a wide variety of fats, carbohydrates, proteins, and simple chemicals such as ethanol and acetic acid.

Non-essential nutrients[edit]

Non-essential nutrients are substances within foods can still have a significant impact on health, whether beneficial or toxic. For example, most dietary fiber is not absorbed by the human digestive tract, but is important in maintaining the bulk of a bowel movement to avoid constipation.

Interest has recently increased in phytochemicals, which include many non-essential substances which may or may not have health benefits.^[1]

Deficiencies and toxicity[edit]

An inadequate amount of a nutrient is a deficiency. Deficiencies can be due to a number of causes including inadequacy in nutrient intake called dietary deficiency, or conditions that interfere with the utilization of a nutrient within an organism.^[3] Some of the conditions that can interfere with nutrient utilization include problems with nutrient absorption, substances that cause a greater than normal need for a nutrient, conditions that cause nutrient destruction, and conditions that cause greater nutrient excretion.^[3]

Nutrient toxicity occurs when an excess of a nutrient does harm to an organismMacronutrients
According to the McKinley Health Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, macronutrients are quite simply “nutrients that provide calories or energy.” They are needed for growth, metabolism, and other functions of the body. Because the word “macro” means big, these nutrients are needed in big amounts. Macronutrients come in three types: carbohydrate, protein and fat. We need all three to survive:

Carbohydrates—45-65 percent of your daily calories (USDA) should come in the form of carbs, as it is the body’s main source of fuel. Without them, you’ll be too tired to work out.

Protein—10-35 percent of daily calories (USDA) should come from proteins, especially lean proteins. Protein helps with growth, tissue repair and keeping your immune system functioning properly. If you weightlift often, proteins help repair those muscles you tore.

Fats—20-35 percent of calories (USDA.) should come from fat, which is necessary for normal growth, energy and maintaining cell membranes. Don’t let the word “fat” deter you from eating them—there are plenty of healthy fat foods, such as nuts and avocados. 

Micronutrients
Micronutrients vary from macronutrients in that they are necessary in tiny amounts (hence the word “micro”). However, without them, you can have major health problems and will not be able to perform at maximum level—whether in the gym, home or work. The more common term for micronutrients is “vitamins and minerals.” Just including more fruits, vegetables, salads, healthy soups, etc. will add more micronutrients into your diet. Also, be sure to mix up the vegetables and fruits with lots of colors to make sure you’re getting a variety of vitamins and minerals. 

To assist with achieving the necessary amounts of macronutrients and micronutrients, try adding Gut Health from wFit Nutrition™ to your diet. It helps with maintaining digestive health, allowing your body to receive the maximum amounts of nutrients possible.* 
Sources:
http://www.mckinley.illinois.edu/handouts/macronutrients.htm
http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/vitamins-minerals/micronutrients-what-they-are-and-why-theyre-essential.html

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.
“ CrossFit®” is a registered trademark of CrossFit® Inc. and has no affiliation to the above post, nor does it particularly endorse any third-party product or service.

ANVEKSHA;3

Types of nutrient[edit]

Main article: Nutrition

Good sources ofmagnesium: bran muffins, pumpkin seeds, barley, buckwheat flour, low-fat vanilla yogurt, trail mix, halibut steaks, garbanzo beans, lima beans, soybeans, and spinach

Macronutrients are defined in several different ways.^[4]

• The chemical elements humans consume in the largest quantities are carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulphur, orCHNOPS.
• The classes of chemical compounds humans consume in the largest quantities and which provide bulk energy are carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Water and atmospheric oxygen also must be consumed in large quantities, but are not always considered "food" or "nutrients".
• Calcium, salt (sodium and chloride), magnesium, and potassium (along with phosphorus and sulfur) are sometimes added to the list of macronutrients because they are required in large quantities compared to other vitamins and minerals. They are sometimes referred to as the macrominerals.

Substances that provide energy[edit]

• Carbohydrates are compounds made up of types of sugars. Carbohydrates are classified by their number of sugar units: monosaccharides(such as glucose and fructose), disaccharides (such as sucrose and lactose), oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides (such as starch,glycogen, and cellulose).
• Proteins are organic compounds that consist of amino acids joined by peptide bonds. The body cannot manufacture some of the amino acids(termed essential amino acids); the diet must supply them. Proteins, in nutrition, are broken down through digestion by proteases back into free amino acids.
• Fats consist of a glycerin molecule with three fatty acids attached. Fatty acids are unbranched hydrocarbon chains,1 connected by single bonds alone (saturated fatty acids) or by both double and single bonds (unsaturated fatty acids). Fats are needed to keep cell membranesfunctioning properly, to insulate body organs against shock, to keep body temperature stable, and to maintain healthy skin and hair. The body does not manufacture certain fatty acids (termed essential fatty acids) and the diet must supply them.

Although alcohol provides energy, and can thus be compared to macronutrients, it is not a substance that is essential for normal function. The acetic acid in vinegar also provides a similar amount of energy per gram, but again, it is not a nutrient because it is not essential for normal function.

Fat has an energy content of 9 kcal/g (~37.7 kJ/g); proteins and carbohydrates 4 kcal/g (~16.7 kJ/g). Ethanol (grain alcohol) has an energy content of 7 kcal/g (~29.3 kJ/g).^[5]

Substances that support metabolism[edit]

• Dietary minerals are generally trace elements, salts, or ions such as copper and iron. Some of these minerals are essential to human metabolism.
• Vitamins are organic compounds essential to the body. They usually act as coenzymes or cofactors for various proteins in the body.
• Water is an essential nutrient and is the solvent in which all the chemical reactions of life take place.

Main articles: Plant nutrition and Fertilizer

The strip of a green alga (Enteromorpha) along this shore indicates that there is a nearby source of nutrients (probably nitrates orammonia from a small estuary).

Plants absorb nutrients from the soil or the atmosphere, or from water (mainly aquatic plants). An exception are the carnivorous plants, which externally digest nutrients from animals before ingesting them.^[6]

The chemical elements consumed in the greatest quantities by plants are carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. These are present in the environment in the form of water and carbon dioxide; energy is provided by sunlight.^[7] Nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur are also needed in relatively large quantities. Together, the "Big Six" are the elemental macronutrients for all organisms,^[8] often represented by theacronym CHNOPS.^[9] Usually they are sourced from inorganic (e.g. carbon dioxide, water, nitrate, phosphate, sulfate) or organic (e.g.carbohydrates, lipids, proteins) compounds, although elemental diatomic molecules of nitrogen and (especially) oxygen are often used.

Other chemical elements are also necessary to carry out various life processes and build structures; see fertilizer and micronutrient for more information.

Rich sources of copper: oysters, beef or lamb liver, Brazil nuts, blackstrap molasses, cocoa, and black pepper. Good sources: lobster, nuts and sunflower seeds, green olives, and wheat bran.

Some of these are considered micronutrients in certain organisms. The mnemonic C. HOPKN'S CaFe Mg (to be used as C. Hopkins coffee mug) is used by some students to remember the list as: carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen, sulfur,calcium, iron, and magnesium. Silicon, chloride, sodium, copper, zinc, and molybdenum are sometimes also included, but are in other cases considered micronutrients.^[10]

Essential and non-essential nutrients[edit]

Main article: Essential nutrient

Nutrients are frequently categorized as essential and nonessential.

Essential nutrients[edit]

Essential nutrients are unable to be synthesized internally (either at all, or in sufficient quantities), and so must be consumed by an organism from its environment.^[11] Nonessential nutrients are those nutrients that can be made by the body; they may often also be absorbed from consumed food.^[11] The majority of animals ultimately derive their essential nutrients from plants,^[11] though some animals may consume mineral-based soils to supplement their diet.

For humans, these include essential fatty acids, essential amino acids, vitamins, and certain dietary minerals. Oxygen and water are also essential for human survival, but are generally not considered "food" when consumed in isolation. There are no "essential carbohydrates", animals can synthesize all the types of carbohydrates needed for growth.

Humans can derive energy from a wide variety of fats, carbohydrates, proteins, and simple chemicals such as ethanol and acetic acid.

Non-essential nutrients[edit]

Non-essential nutrients are substances within foods can still have a significant impact on health, whether beneficial or toxic. For example, most dietary fiber is not absorbed by the human digestive tract, but is important in maintaining the bulk of a bowel movement to avoid constipation.

Interest has recently increased in phytochemicals, which include many non-essential substances which may or may not have health benefits.^[1]

Deficiencies and toxicity[edit]

An inadequate amount of a nutrient is a deficiency. Deficiencies can be due to a number of causes including inadequacy in nutrient intake called dietary deficiency, or conditions that interfere with the utilization of a nutrient within an organism.^[3] Some of the conditions that can interfere with nutrient utilization include problems with nutrient absorption, substances that cause a greater than normal need for a nutrient, conditions that cause nutrient destruction, and conditions that cause greater nutrient excretion.^[3]

Nutrient toxicity occurs when an excess of a nutrient does harm to an organismMacronutrients
According to the McKinley Health Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, macronutrients are quite simply “nutrients that provide calories or energy.” They are needed for growth, metabolism, and other functions of the body. Because the word “macro” means big, these nutrients are needed in big amounts. Macronutrients come in three types: carbohydrate, protein and fat. We need all three to survive:

Carbohydrates—45-65 percent of your daily calories (USDA) should come in the form of carbs, as it is the body’s main source of fuel. Without them, you’ll be too tired to work out.

Protein—10-35 percent of daily calories (USDA) should come from proteins, especially lean proteins. Protein helps with growth, tissue repair and keeping your immune system functioning properly. If you weightlift often, proteins help repair those muscles you tore.

Fats—20-35 percent of calories (USDA.) should come from fat, which is necessary for normal growth, energy and maintaining cell membranes. Don’t let the word “fat” deter you from eating them—there are plenty of healthy fat foods, such as nuts and avocados. 

Micronutrients
Micronutrients vary from macronutrients in that they are necessary in tiny amounts (hence the word “micro”). However, without them, you can have major health problems and will not be able to perform at maximum level—whether in the gym, home or work. The more common term for micronutrients is “vitamins and minerals.” Just including more fruits, vegetables, salads, healthy soups, etc. will add more micronutrients into your diet. Also, be sure to mix up the vegetables and fruits with lots of colors to make sure you’re getting a variety of vitamins and minerals. 

To assist with achieving the necessary amounts of macronutrients and micronutrients, try adding Gut Health from wFit Nutrition™ to your diet. It helps with maintaining digestive health, allowing your body to receive the maximum amounts of nutrients possible.* 
Sources:
http://www.mckinley.illinois.edu/handouts/macronutrients.htm
http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/vitamins-minerals/micronutrients-what-they-are-and-why-theyre-essential.html

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