Nutrition and Your Body: How Nutrients Affect Your Health

Years ago when I would ‘diet’ to try and lose weight, I looked at calories and fat and carbs only. I never really took the time to look at the nutrients in the foods I was eating, or even tracking them to make sure I was getting enough. It was almost a game of “what bad food can I eat and get away with , without going over my calorie limit for the day” instead of just working about healthy eating. Not that this is completely wrong – as long as you are getting enough nutrients in other ways, such as natural weight loss supplements.

The food we eat gives our bodies the materials (i.e. nutrients) it needs to function properly. If we don’t get the “right stuff” our metabolic processes suffer and our health declines. What we eat is essential to our health – nutrients acts almost like a medicine. To maintain, prevent and treat disease. Nutrients give our bodies instructions on how to function and your body needs the five essential nutrients in order to survive.

Carbs
Carbs are used to maintain energy – and the brain’s only source of fuel. Your body breaks carbohydrates down into glucose, which cells require to create energy.

Protein
Protein is another very important source of energy for the body. Protein consists of amino acids that act as the body’s main building block for tissues, such as muscle, skin, bone and hair. Protein also assist in the production of enzymes, hormones, and antibodies.

Fats
Your body uses fats for energy when carbs aren’t available (thus why the popularity of diets such as Keto and Atkins is so popular) You need fat also for insulation, to help your body absorb fat-soluble vitamins to protect your organs.

Vitamins and Minerals
You need vitamins and minerals for numerous physiological functions that help you survive,” They’re essential for normal growth and development, and each one plays a unique role in helping to maintain optimal health. For example, calcium and vitamin D are necessary for healthy bones, and the B vitamins help support the nervous system. There are some great nutrient supplements out there including those that are known as ‘brain boost supplements’

Water
You’ve probably heard that you can live for weeks without food but only days without water. That’s because water is the most important essential nutrient. It is involved in many of your body’s vital functions, and it distributes other essential nutrients to your cells.