Concept in Definition ABC

In its broadest sense, a nutrient refers to everything that nourishes or feeds, that is, that increases the substance, whether of the animal or plant body.

Food that provides life and energy to the living organism

Meanwhile, its more specific meaning tells us that Nutrients are those chemical products that come from the outside of a cell and that are what it will need to be able to carry out its vital functions.

Nutrients are absorbed by the cell and transformed through a metabolic process of biosynthesis, which is known as anabolism, or failing that, by degradation, in order to obtain other molecules.

Of all the various substances with which food is composed, nutrients turn out to be those that most actively participate in metabolic reactions. Oxygen, water and minerals are the basic nutrients that plants consume and need to live, while humans and animals will feed on plants and other animals.

They assist in the development of important functions for the body

Ultimately, nutrients are those substances that living beings need to keep our bodies alive and why not also healthy. Nutrients can be obtained from the consumption of other living beings, such is the case of the so-called

organisms consumers, or they can be produced through processes generated by the body itself, the latter situation being typical of autotrophic organisms (bacteria and plants).
Energy, and assistance in the effective fulfillment of some very relevant organism functions are the fundamental missions of nutrients. Among them we can highlight fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and protein.

Among the substances that make up the nutrients consumed by all living beings and that do not have a photosynthetic capacity (the same to say that they are not plants) are counted: vitamins, lipids, proteins and carbohydrates.

Human beings take nutrients from both the animal and plant kingdoms, taking into account that we are not capable of producing them. Man's diet has been changing over the centuries where environmental and social issues and customs, among others, were modifying the diet he consumed. Today the possibilities we have of nutrients at our fingertips is certainly fantastic, which allows us to have a feeding varied.
Now, we must emphasize that not everything is pink in this regard today and many people who do not find the Balance In the intake of nutrients they can pass the barrier and fall into a very common disease at this time and also dangerous due to the consequences it can have, such as obesity.

Classification

Depending on the role they play in metabolic functions, nutrients can be classified into two large groups, the essential nutrients (They are of vital importance for the organism, but it cannot synthesize them but takes them from the environment in which it lives) and non-essential nutrients (They are not vital and in some situations they can be synthesized through precursor molecules).

Meanwhile, we can find another type of classification that is carried out according to the necessary amount that the cells require and thus we find the macronutrients (necessary in large quantities per day, such is the case of proteins and that constitute the same basis of any diet) or micronutrients (Those in need but in very small quantities and that usually act as regulators of energy processes).

And also, the role they play tells us about energetic (They serve to obtain energy and that the organism can display its necessary functions, fats, carbohydrates and proteins), plastics (they form the structure of the organism and facilitate its growth, such as carbohydrates, lipids, minerals, proteins) and regulators (will control the chemical reactions of the metabolism, such as sodium or potassium).

Proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, minerals ...

Energy nutrients, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids are considered in this way because they are plausible of oxidation to provide energy to the body, meanwhile, vitamins and minerals do not provide us with energy but rather their function The main one is the regulation of metabolic reactions and in some cases, such as calcium, they have a function of structural type.
Speaking in terms of normal contexts, carbohydrates and fats have a function par excellence which is to serve as energy to the body. Hydrates provide energy that is used immediately or can be reserved, while fats stand out for being reserve energy. Proteins have the responsibility to form and repair the structures of the tissues that demand it and of course cannot be taken as an energy supply.

Nutrients Topics