Nutrients

These are the substances found in food required for life. The 6 nutrients
are carbohydrates, proteins, lipids (fat), minerals, vitamins, & water.
Essential Nutrients
Essential nutrients are nutrients the body cannot produce, either at all or
in sufficient quantities. In the case of fatty acids, the cells cannot produce any
omega-6 or omega-3 fatty acids without other fatty acids being present, meaning
the cell can convert a short chain fatty acid and make it longer. This is a slow
process as both omega-6 and omega-3 use the same enzymes.
Carbohydrates
1g of carbohydrate provides 4 kcal, and they come in three variants,
mono-, di-, and polysaccharides. Monosaccharides are single sugars,
disaccharides are double sugars which are formed by condensation and broken
down by hydrolysis. Polysaccharides are long chains of sugar, known as
glycogen, starch and fiber.
Glycogen is found in animals, but is quickly hydrolysed after slaughter,
which means it is not a significant source of carbohydrates. It is important in the
body, e.g. for muscle action. Often stored as long chains of glucose, a
polysaccharide, for fast hydrolysis.
Starches are the plant version of glycogen. When eaten, the starch is
hydrolysed into glucose. Starch is derived from plants, grains being the greatest
source of starch. Legumes and tubers are also good sources.
Protein
1g of protein provides 4 kcal, and consists of up to twenty different amino
acids, eleven of which are non-essential and nine of which are essential. Protein
is a diverse group with a variety of functions, including, but not limited to, as
building materials, enzymes, hormones, and transporters.
Protein is commonly known as the building blocks of the body, as it
repairs, replaces or even grows tissue within the body. For example, proteins
replace the cells of the gastro-intestinal tract every three days.
Enzymes are catalysts, so chemical reactions happen faster and more
efficient than if these reactions were to rely on chance alone. Enzymes build and
break down substances, and transform substances into other ones.
Some transport proteins are not attached to membranes, but instead
move in the bodily fluids and carry nutrients and various molecules, like lipids,
vitamins, and minerals.
Lipids (fats)
1g of fat provides 9 kcal, and it is primarily stored as triglycerides. Stored
triglyceride primarily provides energy, and supports many daily activities, like
insulation, which keeps the body warm, and used as shock absorbers for vital
organs. Fat is used to spare protein, meaning it provides energy instead of

protein when glycogen stores are low, so protein can be used for important
tasks.
Diet must supply Essential Fatty Acids (EFA), which consist of linoleic acid
(an Omega-6 fatty acid) and linolenic acid (an Omega-3 fatty acid). EFAs are
used to maintain cell membrane structure and to produce eicosanoids (hormone
like substance, which regulate blood pressure, blood clot formation, blood lipids,
and the immune response to injury and infection).
5% of dietary lipids consist of phospholipids and sterols, both of which are
important for bodily functions.
Phospholipids primarily provide movement across the cell membrane for fatsoluble vitamins and hormones. It also acts as an emulsifier, keeping fats
suspended within the fluids of the body, including blood.
Sterols are primarily used to produce bile acids, hormones, vitamin D, and
cholesterol. Cholesterol is the most commonly known sterol, and is used to
maintain the cell membrane.
Minerals
Minerals are inorganic elements, which means they can occur as single
atoms or complex structures, like teeth bones. These are not metabolised and do
not supply any energy.
Vitamins
Vitamins are organic elements, which are vital to life. It is available
through food, and consists of both water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins. They
are complex organic molecules, which are vulnerable to destruction if subjected
to heat, light, and chemical agents. Each vitamin has its own special function
within the body, e.g. one helps the eyes see in dim light. Most actions within the
body requires vitamins to function.
Water
The primary solvent of the body. Nearly all bodily activities are done within
water in the body. Wat provides the medium for transporting materials and
waste, and is involved in many metabolic reactions.
Nonnutrients
Nonnutrients are substances found in food which are not classified as
nutritious. They are antioxidants, phytochemicals, fiber, & alcohol.
Antioxidants
A substance that protects other substances from oxidation, either by
preventing it or simply inhibiting it, which means these substances will not be
altered or destroyed. For example, vitamin C is an antioxidant which prevents
oxidation of iron, enhancing iron absorption.
Phytochemicals
Phytochemicals have beneficial functions to the plant it is found in. When
phytochemicals are consumed they can have a variety of reactions on the body,

both harmful and healthy. For example, some wild mushrooms have harmful
phytochemicals which can cause a range of symptoms including dizziness and
kidney failure. Other phytochemicals found in citrus fruit and garlic have cancer
fighting properties (Grosvernor)

Fiber
Fibers, also known as nonstarch polysaccharides, are mostly
polysaccharides, and make up the structural parts of plants. Fiber is found in all
plant-based food. The variation of how the monosaccharides link provides a large
variety of health effects.
Alcohol
1g of alcohol provides 7kcal, and it is a lipid solvent, and because it can
dissolve the cell membranes lipids it can enter the cell fast, thus destroying the
structures within the cell and killing the cells. Ethanol, which is the alcohol found
in alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, and liqueur), is often taken in small enough
doses that it induces euphoria instead.

Research: Effects on BMR of long term IF