Importance of Nutrition in our Daily Life to Maintain Good Health?

What is Nutrition?

Nutrition is an essential component of health and development. Moreover, better nutrition is linked to improved infant, child, and maternal health, stronger immune systems, safer pregnancy, and childbirth, a lower risk of non-communicable diseases (such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease), and a longer lifespan. Healthy children learn more effectively. People who eat healthily are more productive and can help to break the cycle of poverty and hunger.

Malnutrition, in any form, is hazardous to human health. The world is currently dealing with a double burden of malnutrition, including both undernutrition and obesity, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Undernutrition (wasting or stunting), a lack of vitamins or minerals, being higher weight, and developing diet-related non-communicable diseases are all examples of malnutrition.

The global burden of malnutrition has serious and long-term developmental, economic, social, and medical consequences for individuals and their families, communities, and countries.

One thing we can’t emphasize enough is that a “diet” is something you do for a short period, whereas a balanced “nutrition” plan ensures you’re including a variety of foods in specific quantities and proportions.

Nutrition in our Daily Life

It is not only the type of food that is nutritious but also the ingredients. So, in order to maintain good health, limit your consumption of empty calories and instead try to get your calories from foods with the highest nutritional value. A homemade pizza with a natural food base and plenty of fresh vegetables on top, for example, may be a healthy option. Premade pizzas and other highly processed foods, on the other hand, frequently contain empty calories and can harm not only your waistline but also your overall health.

Nutrition is the assimilation of food materials by living organisms that allows them to grow, maintain themselves, and reproduce.

Food as a Source of Energy

In most living organisms, food serves multiple functions. For example, it provides materials that provide the energy required for nutrient absorption and translocation, cell material synthesis, movement and locomotion, waste product excretion, and all other activities of the organism. Food also provides materials for the assembly of all structural and catalytic components of the living cell.

Living organisms differ in the specific substances they require as food, how they synthesize food substances or obtain them from their surroundings, and the functions that these substances perform in their cells.

Proteins

Proteins play an important role in growth and development. They also aid in tissue repair, oxygen transport, food digestion, and hormone regulation. Meat, legumes (beans, peas, lentils), nuts, seafood, and eggs are good sources of protein.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates (also known as carbs) provide energy. When you consume carbohydrates, your body converts them into “glucose” (blood sugar), which your cells use for energy.

Carbohydrates are present pasta, bread, rice, potatoes, cereals, fruit, milk, and sugar.

Fats

These are used to store energy, protect organs, support cell growth, and aid in nutrient absorption. These are classified into two types: saturated (the “bad”) and unsaturated (the “good”).

Unsaturated fats can be obtained from oil, nuts, seeds, avocados, and salmon.

Vitamins

The B vitamins (eight in total!) help with a variety of tasks, including the release of energy from carbohydrates and fats, the breakdown of proteins, and the transport of oxygen and other substances throughout the body.

Vitamin A aids vision, growth, cell division, reproduction, and immunity.

Vitamin C is required for the formation of blood vessels, cartilage, muscle, and collagen. It is also beneficial to healing and aids in the absorption and storage of iron.

Vitamin D is required for bone formation and maintenance.

Vitamin K aids in the production of proteins that are required for blood clotting and bone formation.

Minerals

Potassium is essential for the proper functioning of the kidneys, heart, muscles, and nervous system.

Sodium aids nerve and muscle function and helps your body regulate fluid levels (preventing swelling).

Calcium helps for the formation of bones and teeth.

Phosphorus promotes bone and tooth health and invovles in the formation of DNA and RNA.

Magnesium aids muscle and nerve function and helps maintain energy production.

Zinc supports the immune system and metabolism.

Iron helps for formation of red blood cells, which transport oxygen throughout the body.

Water

Water is necessary for many bodily functions because human bodies are 60% water. It keeps your body temperature normal, lubricates joints, protects your spinal cord, and aids in waste elimination through sweating, urination, and bowel movements.