Human Nutrition Lecture Notes

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering human nutrition concepts, metabolism, nutrients, assessment tools, and clinical feeding methods based on the lecture notes.

Macronutrients

Nutrients that supply the body with energy, consisting of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids.

Micronutrients

Vitamins and minerals that help manufacture, repair, and maintain cells through metabolism.

Anabolism

A metabolic process that involves building up molecules and requires energy.

Catabolism

A metabolic process that involves breaking down molecules and releases energy.

Simple Carbohydrates

Monosaccharides and disaccharides that are easily and quickly digested to supply energy.

Complex Carbohydrates

Polysaccharides, such as fiber, that take longer to digest.

Glycogenolysis

The process of converting stored carbohydrates (glycogen) back to glucose for energy when needed.

Gluconeogenesis

The conversion of stored protein and lipids into energy (ketones) when glucose is unavailable.

Essential Amino Acids

Amino acids that cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained through the diet.

Complete Proteins

Foods that contain all essential amino acids necessary for protein synthesis.

Incomplete Proteins

Non-animal sources of protein that do not provide all the essential amino acids but can be combined to make a complete protein.

Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL)

Lipoproteins that transport cholesterol to the body cells.

High Density Lipoproteins (HDL)

Lipoproteins that remove cholesterol from the bloodstream and return it to the liver to produce bile.

Fat-soluble Vitamins

Vitamins (A, D, E, K) stored primarily in the liver and adipose tissue that are not readily excreted.

Water-soluble Vitamins

Vitamins (B complex and C) that are not stored in the body and must be consumed daily.

Macro Minerals

Major minerals needed in amounts greater than $100\,mg/day$, including Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, and Sodium.

Trace Minerals

Essential minerals required in lower concentrations, such as Copper, Fluoride, Iodine, Iron, and Zinc.

Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

The amount of energy required at rest for major organs to function.

Overweight BMI

A Body Mass Index (BMI) ranging from greater than $25$ to less than $29.9$.

Obesity BMI

A Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than $30$.

Hyperglycemia

In nondiabetics, a blood sugar level above the normal level of $>110$.

Hypoglycemia

A blood sugar level falling below the normal level of $<50$.

Albumin

A protein whose low levels are associated with malnutrition, liver disease, or protein loss, and is affected by fluid status.

Prealbumin

A marker that fluctuates daily depending on protein intake.

Creatinine

The end product of skeletal muscle metabolism; increased levels may indicate impaired kidney function or loss of muscle mass.

Dysphagia

Impaired swallowing, which puts a patient at risk for choking and aspiration.

Enteral Nutrition

The delivery of liquid nutrition into the upper intestinal tract via a tube; also known as tube feeding.

Parenteral Nutrition

Intravenous nutrition administered into a large, central vein for patients who cannot be nourished through the gastrointestinal tract.

Lavage

The irrigation, washing out, or drainage of stomach contents using enteric tubes.

Nasogastric Tube (NG-tube)

A short-term tube inserted through one nostril, passed through the nasopharynx into the esophagus and the stomach.

Bolus Feedings

The delivery of formula over $5$ to $10$ minutes into a gastric tube using a syringe or bag.

Open System Feeding

A feeding system exposed to the environment, such as formula poured into a bag, which carries a risk of contamination and must be used within $4$ hours.

Closed System Feeding

A prefilled system (bag or bottle) that functions like IV fluid to decrease contamination risk and can be used for $24$ to $48$ hours.