Why is nutrition important

Nutrition is not only important but also necessary because every living being requires nutrients regularly to grow and to stay healthy. We receive nutrition into our body through what we consume as food and water; the nutrients that our body utilizes from the food can be divided into two types, macronutrients and micronutrients. Both the groups are essential and the nutrients in both groups help in the maintenance, well being and building of different parts of the body.

Macronutrients

1. Protein – It is essential for healthy living as protein is the prime nutrient that determines the strength of the immune system. Anyone connected with athletics or sports uses protein supplements to build muscles which make the body strong from outside as well. Apart from building and repairing muscle tissues and cells, protein is important for enzyme and hormone production within the body as well.

2. Carbohydrates – Carbohydrates provide energy and help in cell formation. Lack of energy and ketosis are common symptoms of carbohydrate deficiency.

3. Fat – Contrary to what one might think, fat is an essential nutrient required to regulate proper breakdown and usage of Vitamin A, D, E and K. A layer of fat acts as a safety cushion for many of our inner organs actually. Fat globules are stored reserves of energy for situations when the body is not gaining any carbohydrates due to lack of food.

Micronutrients

1. Water – Water is the base or the medium for all bodily reactions and is indeed the most important nutrient of them all. As most of us already know, more than seventy percent of our body is water and therefore it gives our cells shape and is vastly responsible for maintaining our body temperature. From carrying the essential nutrients to different parts of the body to taking the bodily wastes out of the system, water plays an important role.

2. Vitamins – The presence of vitamins is not felt as much as is felt the lack of vitamins. Vitamins are essential for regulating the standard body processes properly.

3. Minerals – Every mineral has a different purpose, but mainly they build tissues and administer processes within the body. Calcium for example builds bones, teeth and helps in the clotting of blood among other functions.