Nutrition Basics Lecture

These flashcards cover key concepts and definitions related to nutrition, metabolism, dietary guidelines, and health implications discussed in the lecture.

Nutrition

The intake and use of necessary nutrients for tissue growth, energy production, and cell repair.

Nutrients

Substances obtained from food that supply energy, build and maintain bones, muscles, skin, and support body functions.

Malnutrition

An imbalance in nutrient intake, which can occur even in individuals who appear to have a normal stature.

Obesity

A condition where a person's intake consistently exceeds their energy expenditure, leading to a high Body Mass Index (BMI).

Food Security

Access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food needed for a healthy life.

Metabolism

The process of chemically changing nutrients into usable end products for the body.

Anabolism

The process of building complex substances from smaller ones, important for muscle growth and repair.

Catabolism

The process of breaking down substances into smaller components, releasing energy.

Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

The minimum amount of energy required to keep the body functioning while at rest.

Macronutrients

Nutrients required in large amounts, including carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, that provide energy.

Micronutrients

Nutrients required in small amounts, including vitamins and minerals, essential for body functions.

Protein

Essential for body tissue development, repair, and maintenance, as well as providing energy when needed.

Dietary Reference Intake (DRI)

Guidelines for nutrient intake to improve health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

BMI (Body Mass Index)

A measurement that assesses body fat based on height and weight.

Anorexia Nervosa

A serious psychological eating disorder characterized by severe restriction of food intake and extreme fear of gaining weight.

Dysphagia

Difficulty swallowing, which can lead to malnutrition and dehydration.

Aspiration Precautions

Safety measures taken to prevent choking or inhaling food into the lungs.

Clear Liquid Diet

A diet consisting of liquids that are clear and free of pulp.

Full Liquid Diet

A diet consisting of foods that are liquid at room temperature.

Mechanical Soft Diet

A modified food consistency diet that includes foods that require minimal chewing.

Diabetic Diet

A diet that controls carbohydrate intake to manage blood sugar levels.

Renal Diet

A diet designed to protect kidney function by restricting certain nutrients.

Complex Carbohydrates

are composed of starches, glycogen, and fiber, take longer to break down prior to absorption and utilization by the body’s cells.

Simple Carbohydrates

broken down & absorbed quickly, providing a quick source of energy.

Fiber

A complex carbohydrate, classified as soluble or insoluble; 20-35 recommended daily for adults

Vitamin A

Helps resistance to infection and night vision; helps grow epithelial tissue and development of bones and teeth; fat soluble

Vitamin D = sunshine vitamin

Vital for development of bone and tissue; fat soluble

Vitamin E

Antioxidant that protects cells from free radicals; promotes healthy immune system; fat soluble

Vitamin K

Essential for synthesis of proteins that promote clotting of blood; deficiency produces bruising and bleeding; fat soluble 

Vitamin C

Antioxidant; Roles in synthesizing collagen and development of a strong immune system

Vitamin B complex

facilitate energy production; Help to form RBCs; act as coenzymes

Potassium, sodium, and chloride

Critical role in the body’s fluid balance and important in nerve conduction and muscle contraction

Calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium

Important in production and maintenance of bone, nerve conduction, muscle contraction

Ingestion

is consumption of food.

Digestion

is the breaking down of food into smaller particles of nutrients.

Absorption

is movement of smaller elements through the digestive tract walls and into the blood.

Peristalsis

is a wavelike muscular movement that propels waste products through the intestines for elimination.

Bulimia Nervosa

eating disorder with bingeing (intake of excessive food) followed by purging (vomiting)