Tuesday July 05. 2011

Once again it is time to write another journal entry. This one shall definitely be over something educational. Nutrition is the perfect topic for today's entry, because that is my other class I am taking right now. Nutrition is a basic need of all living beings. We must have an adequate intake of all substances needed to survive.  When we do not, we start to develop illnesses and unhealthy lifestyles. There are six groups of nutrients we need as humans to survive. They are: carbohydrates, fats and oils, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and water. These nutrients can be classified as organic or inorganic. The organic nutrients contain hydrogen. Nutrients can be classified into two categories, macronutrients or micronutrients. The macronutrients are, carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. All of these macronutrients provide energy for the body. Vitamins and minerals are considered micronutrients, because they are not considered sources of energy. There are recommended daily values for each of these nutrients. It is essential that the values are met for a healthy lifestyle. However, most people do not meet these nutritional requirements. A deficiency in any nutrients can lead to many health problems, as can too much of any nutrient. Some of the leading health problems the US faces are, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and cancer. There is so much to learn in nutrition. I recomend anyone to take this class if you want to know exactly what you are eating.