FOOD ISSUES

NUTRITION

Information: food issues. Nutrition plays a great role in your health. Read this nutrition information to learn the basics of good nutrition facts and understand the role of different vitamins, nutrients and minerals in keeping you healthy.

Vitamins are organic compounds that help maintain normal body functions, such as reproduction, growth and cell repair. Your body can't manufacture vitamins, so you need to obtain them from other sources.

Most of the vitamins you need come from the food you eat, except for vitamin D, which your body makes when exposed to sunlight, and K, which is made by the bacteria in your intestines.

In addition to their presence in natural foods, vitamins can also be manufactured synthetically. Vitamin supplements may be available in tablet, caplet or liquid form.

Carbohydrate-rich foods are the primary source of energy for all body functions. Your body breaks down carbohydrates, or carbs, into fuel for use by your cells and muscles - that's why eating a moderate amount of carbohydrates is necessary for most people. There are two types of carbs - sugars and starches.

Sugars are simple carbohydrates that can be easily digested by your body and include foods like cake, soda, candy, jellies and fruits.

Starches are complex carbohydrates that take longer to be digested and include foods such as breads, grains, pasta, tortillas, noodles, fruits and vegetables.

Along with carbohydrates and fat, your body needs protein, a nutrient made up of essential and nonessential amino acids, for good health. Your body manufactures 13 nonessential amino acids, which aren't available from food. For the body to process protein properly, the foods that you eat must contain the nine essential amino acids that are available only from dietary sources.

Protein helps to maintain and replace the tissues in your body, and it's found in almost every living cell and fluid. Your muscles, organs and many of your hormones are made up of protein, and it is also used in the manufacture of hemoglobin, the red blood cells that carry oxygen to your body. Protein is also used to manufacture antibodies that fight infection and disease and is integral to your body's blood clotting ability. Both children and adults need plenty of protein to grow and develop.

Minerals help the body perform numerous functions, such as building strong bones, transmitting nerve impulses, making hormones and maintaining a regular heartbeat. There are two types of minerals - macrominerals and trace minerals.

Your body needs larger amounts of macrominerals like calcium, sodium and potassium. Trace minerals, on the other hand, are only needed in small amounts. Common trace minerals include iron, zinc and selenium.

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