MEANING OF NUTRITION

 Introduction

In simple words we can say nutrition is the study of what happens to food once it enters the mouth and thereafter.

In detailed we can say about nutrition is the science of food, the nutrients and other substances therein; their action, interaction and balance in relationship to health and disease; the process by which the organism ingests, digest, absorb, transport and utilizes nutrients and disposes of their end products.

In addition, nutrition must be concerned with the social, economic, cultural and psychological implications of food and eating.

In this blog we will learn about more detail about nutrition and its aspects.

1. Nutrients: Action, Interaction and Balance

Food, as you know, contains nutrients as well as  substances which are non nutrients. The body needs each nutrient in specific amount. 

Action and Interaction

Some are needed in large amount macronutrients and some are needed in small amount micronutrients. But they are equally essential for health. Each nutrients plays a significant role in body.  

For example the mineral calcium helps in building bones and teeth. This is action of calcium. And phosphorus is also needed for bones and teeth. Both calcium and phosphorus must be supplied to the body for proper growth of teeth and bones. This means that the normal growth of bones and teeth and maintenance of their normal structure and function requires an interaction between two nutrients.

Balance

From same example of calcium and phosphorus  we can understand the concept of balance. If the diet contains too much phosphorus, it prevents the body from taking enough of calcium. This creates an imbalance between calcium and phosphorus and affects the bones and teeth. This can be balance by consuming foods that supply the two nutrients in correct proportion.

2. Handling of Food and Nutrients by the Body

How our body handle food?

We take in food through our mouth where it is chewed and then swallowed. It then passes down into the stomach thereafter into along, coiled, tube-like structure called the intestine. Since our our body cannot utilize food as such, it alters its nature and converts it into utilizable forms by many specific action known as digestion.

Once digestion is completed, several nutrients are available to the body in a form in which the body can use them further. The process by which nutrients move from intestine into blood is referred as absorption. The blood then transport them to all the cells of the body where they are utilized for different function. 

The substance which cannot be absorb are removed by our body in faeces. 

3. Social, Psychological and Economic Aspects of Nutrition

Social and Psychological

Social and psychological factors determine the acceptability of a particular dietary pattern and the foods included. We might suggest a nutritious diet for a person but it might not be acceptable to him because of socio-cultural reasons. This is the reason why a person's social background and reaction to particular food items have to be carefully considered. 

Economic

Food costs money. It must be within the reach of people and it must be equitably distributed to all sections of the population. The availability of food and its proper distribution are of great importance.

Conclusion

From above blog we conclude that what is role of food and its nutrients in body. And how our body maintain the balance of nutrients. Food is a life giver without proper nutrition we cannot work properly. A good nutrition provides us a healthy life.