MODERN VIEW -

Nutrition is all about the study of food and how our bodies use food as fuel for growth and daily activities. The macronutrients, or "big" nutrients include proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. The micronutrients, or "little" nutrients are the vitamins and minerals that we need to be healthy

PROTEINS –

• They serve as enzymatic catalysts and are used as transport molecules (hemoglobin transports oxygen)
• They are also used as movement as they are major component of muscles.
• They are useful for mechanical support in skin and bone as they contain collagen – a fibrous protein.
• Rhodopsin is a protein in the eye, which is used for vision.
• Antibody proteins are used as immune protection.
• They control the growth and cell differentiation (in forms of hormones).

CARBOHYDRATES –

• They play a major role in promoting your health fitness.
• They form a major part of your food and help a great deal in building your body strength, by generating energy.
• They are one among of three major prominent macronutrients that serve as excellent energy providers, the other two being fats and proteins.
• For instant energy generation, sugar and starch act as the perfect fuel that enable you to carry out your physical activities efficiently and effectively.
• Carbohydrates add on to the taste and appearance of food items, thus making the dish tempting and mouthwatering. They are also used as flavors and sweeteners.
• They aid in regulating blood glucose and also do well to your body by breaking down fatty acids, thus preventing ketosis.

FATS –

• The highest calorie supplier to the body; about 9 kcal per gram.
• It is essential for the proper functioning of the body.
• Linoleic acid is the most important essential fatty acid, especially for the growth and development of infants.
• Fatty acids provide the raw materials that help in the control of blood pressure, blood clotting, inflammation and other body functioning.
• It serves as the storage substance for the body’s extra calories. It fills the fat cells (adipose tissues) and help insulate the body.
• It is an important energy source, when the body has used up the calories from carbohydrates, which occurs after the first 20 minutes of exercise, it begins to depend on the calorie from fat.
• Healthy skin and hair are maintained by fat. Fat also helps in the absorption, and transport through the bloodstream of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K.
• It protects the vital organs by covering them from the external injuries.

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