Nutrients that your body needs to function correctly, but not all of them are easy to get your hands on. In this article, we’ll look at some of the most prevalent nutrient supplements on the market and explain precisely what they do and why you might want to include them in your diet.
Major Categories of Nutrients
Many different types of nutrients are essential for the body to function correctly. Some of the most common nutrients are vitamins and minerals. Vitamins are essential for the body to create energy, while minerals help to create healthy cells and tissues.
Some of the most essential nutrients for the body are vitamins B12 and D. These vitamins are responsible for converting food into energy. Vitamin B12 is essential because it is responsible for tissue growth and maintenance. Vitamin D helps to protect the body against diseases such as cancer.
Other vital nutrients include iron, magnesium, and zinc. Iron is essential for red blood cell production, magnesium helps to keep bones strong, and zinc is essential for creating proteins and DNA.
Macronutrients VS Micronutrients
Macronutrients are the essential nutrients that our bodies need in large amounts to function properly. They are made up of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. On the other hand, micronutrients are the small, essential elements that makeup vitamins and minerals.
Macronutrients are responsible for providing energy for our bodies when we need them. They can be found in foods like grains, fruits, and vegetables, as well as milk and meat. Proteins are the primary energy source for our muscles and are necessary for growth and development.
Fats are also crucial for our health, providing skin protection, hormone regulation, and fuel for our cells. Micronutrients play an essential role in our overall health as well. Vitamins help to form our cells’ DNA and RNA, while minerals like magnesium help keep us strong and healthy.
Why Nutrients Matter
Nutrients are our bodies’ building blocks and help us stay healthy. They play a role in everything from digesting food to keeping our cells functioning. It’s estimated that nutrients control around 80% of the body’s functions.
There are hundreds of different nutrients, and each one plays a unique role in our health. Here are just a few examples:
- Vitamins: Vitamins are essential for maintaining health and preventing diseases. They include vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K.
- Minerals: Minerals play an essential role in energy production and immune system function. Some critical human minerals include potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, and copper.
- Amino acids: Amino acids are essential for protein synthesis and repairing cell damage. Some common amino acids include arginine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, and valine.
- Nutrition for everyone: Learn about the major categories of nutrients and how they can help you stay healthy.
Regarding nutrients, it’s vital to ensure you’re getting the right amount of each type. That’s why tracking your food intake and supplement as needed is essential.
What Are Phytonutrients?
Phytonutrients are a diverse class of chemicals found in plants that have antioxidant properties. Some phytonutrients are believed to be responsible for the health benefits of consuming plants, such as the reduced risk of cancer and heart disease.
Some phytonutrients are thought to interact with the body’s natural defenses, such as the immune system, to provide health benefits.
What Are the Health Benefits of Phytonutrients?
Some research suggests that phytonutrients may provide health benefits, such as:
- Reduced risk of cancer. Laboratory studies have found that some phytonutrients (such as quercetin) can help to prevent cancer. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings in humans.
- Laboratory studies have found that some phytonutrients (such as quercetin) can help to prevent cancer. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings in humans. Reduced risk of heart disease.
- Some phytonutrients (such as resveratrol) are thought to protect against heart disease. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings in humans.
- Some phytonutrients (such as resveratrol) are thought to protect against heart disease. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings in humans. Possible benefits for mental health and cognitive function.
- Some preliminary studies suggest that phytonutrients may play a role in improving mental health and cognitive function. More research is needed to confirm these findings in humans.
A Word From Verywell
- The blog section for this article is all about nutrients. We’ve got a roundup of the most important ones to know about, as well as tips on how to get them from food.
- Vitamin A is essential for vision and maintaining vital immune system function. It can be found in animal-based sources, such as milk and meat, but is also present in many plant-based foods.
- Vitamin B12 is vital for energy production and maintaining normal nerve function. It’s found mainly in animal-based sources, such as meat and dairy, but it can also be found in some plant-based foods.
- Vitamin C is essential for healthy skin, hair, and nails. It can be found in many fruits and vegetables, but its concentration varies significantly from food to food.
- Iron is vital for the maintenance of blood cells and red blood cells. It’s found mainly in red meat, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and leafy green vegetables.
