Throughout life, you have probably been lectured about proper nutrition by your parents, grandparents, teachers, doctors, nurses, dentists and maybe even your friends. And although you might realize that a healthy diet is important, you might not quite understand why. But with a quick look at 10 important functions of human nutrition, it’s easy to see why these nutrients are necessary.
Body Composition
Human nutrition dictates the ultimate composition of the human body, which consists of water, protein, fat, carbohydrates and ash. Roughly 50 to 75 percent of the body is composed of water. Roughly 15 percent of the body is protein, and 15 to 22 percent is fat. Only about 9 percent is made of ash, a residue that remains after food metabolizes, while just 6 percent is made of carbohydrates.
Tissue Growth and Maintenance
While some nutrients provide the raw building blocks for tissues, other nutrients help maintain the growth and vitality of tissues. Because tissues make up the body’s organs and cells, healthy tissue development is essential for healthy body development.
Bone Structure
Proper nutrition is absolutely essential for proper growth and maintenance of the body’s bones. Among the many nutrients that contribute to bone health, calcium and vitamin D play the most important roles. Additional nutrients that contribute to bone health include phosphorus, fluorine and vitamin C.
Organ Function
Every single organ in the human body depends on proper nutrition. Along with proteins, other nutrients are responsible for the production of cells and tissues that make up organs. Once an organ has been formed, nutrients also allow for proper functioning of the organ as a whole. Taking in too much or too little of a specific nutrient can affect the function and health of the heart, kidneys, liver, stomach, intestines, brain and skin.
Blood
Blood is made up of red cells, white cells, platelets and plasma. The red blood cells contain hemoglobin, which picks up oxygen in the lungs and carries it through the body to the tissues. One of the main constituents of hemoglobin is iron, a mineral consumed through the diet. Vitamin K plays a role in blood clotting, ensuring that the body’s blood supply is able to clot effectively when necessary. Certain other nutrients – such as saturated fats and cholesterol -- can cause the blood to become dangerously thick and sticky.
Breathing
Although it might seem unusual that nutrition affects breathing, certain nutrients are essential for the proper exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. For example, vitamin B1 is involved in the removal of carbon dioxide from the body, while vitamins A and C prevent pulmonary infections and lung tissue damage.
Wound Healing
Whether it’s a small abrasion, a massive wound or a surgical incision, proper nutrition is absolutely essential for the healing process. During the healing process, increased intake of protein, vitamin A, vitamin C and zinc is often recommended. These nutrients ensure proper blood circulation to the area, healthy development of new tissue and the prevention of dangerous infections.
Source of Energy
Carbohydrates, fats and proteins are often referred to as the energy nutrients. When these types of nutrients enter the body, they bring along chemical energy. As the body digests these foods, it converts chemical energy into electrical energy for nerve transmission, mechanical energy for muscle function and thermal energy for heat production. Without an adequate intake of calories, the body would be unable to produce the energy it needs to function.
Mental Health
A nutritious diet helps protect and enhance mental function. For example, glucose enhances learning and memory, while proteins increase your level of mental alertness. The vitamin folate -- or folic acid -- is essential for proper development of the neural tube in infants. In children and adults, it helps prevent depression and poor concentration.
Disease Prevention
Proper nutrition helps strengthen the immune system, which is responsible for fighting off illness and disease. When the immune system weakness, foreign organisms roam the body freely and can cause damage in several ways. According to Purdue University's College of Consumer and Family Sciences, balanced nutrition significantly reduces the risk of developing chronic diseases, such as cancer, stroke, heart disease, osteoporosis, high blood pressure and obesity.
References
- "Nutrition and Diet Therapy"; "Evidence-Based Applications"; Carroll Lutz et al.; 2006
- Cleveland Clinic: Nutrition Guidelines to Improve Wound Healing
- Medical News Today; "Good Nutrition Essential For Bone Health"; October 2006
- National Center on Physical Activity and Disability; "Food and Your Mood: Nutrition and Mental Health"; Gillian Goodfriend; January 2009
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; "What Is Nutrition?"; May 2003
- Purdue University College of Consumer and Family Sciences: Importance of Nutrition
- Youngevity: Role of Nutrients in the Body
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