Nutrition and Nutritional Needs Lecture Notes

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering basic nutrition, macronutrients, micronutrients, and specific nutritional needs for different life stages such as pregnancy, lactation, and infancy.

Nutrition

The process where all nutrients required by the human body are obtained from the food ingested.

Macronutrients

Nutrients required by the body in large quantities, including proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids (fats and oils).

Micronutrients

Nutrients required by the body in smaller quantities, such as minerals and vitamins.

Amino acids

The basic building blocks of all proteins, consisting of 20 different types in the human body.

Essential amino acids

The 9 amino acids that the body cannot produce and must be ingested daily through the diet.

Non-essential amino acids

Amino acids that can be produced by the body itself.

Complete proteins

Proteins containing all 9 essential amino acids, typically from animal sources or soybeans, ensuring high biological value for growth and repair.

Incomplete proteins

Proteins lacking or low in essential amino acids, typically from legumes, seeds, and nuts, resulting in low biological value.

Kwashiorkor

A specific disease resulting from a severe deficiency in protein intake.

Monosaccharides

Single or simple sugars that serve as the building blocks for all carbohydrates, such as glucose, fructose, and galactose.

Disaccharides

Double sugars formed by two monosaccharides bound together, including sucrose, maltose, and lactose.

Polysaccharides

Complex carbohydrates consisting of long monosaccharide chains, such as starch, cellulose, and glycogen.

Glycogen

The form in which excess glucose is stored in the human body.

Dextrin

A polysaccharide that forms when dry heat is applied to starch.

Soluble fibre

Fibre that dissolves in water to form a gel, helping to lower sugar and cholesterol levels.

Insoluble fibre

Fibre that does not dissolve in water, found in plant cell walls, which helps prevent constipation.

Triglyceride

A lipid molecule consisting of one glycerol molecule and three fatty acid molecules.

Trans fatty acids

Harmful fats formed when oil is heated repeatedly or through hydrogenation; they are linked to heart disease and cancer.

LDL cholesterol

Low-density lipoprotein, or 'bad' cholesterol, which builds up as plaque in the inner walls of arteries.

HDL cholesterol

High-density lipoprotein, or 'good' cholesterol, which absorbs bad cholesterol and transports it to the liver for removal.

Macrominerals

Minerals needed by the body in large quantities, such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, and potassium.

Microminerals

Also known as trace minerals, these are needed in small quantities, including iodine, iron, fluoride, zinc, and manganese.

Rickets

A bone curvature condition in children caused by a deficiency in calcium, phosphorus, or Vitamin D.

Osteoporosis

A condition in adults resulting in weak or porous bones due to mineral deficiencies like calcium.

Anaemia

A condition caused by an iron deficiency leading to a lack of haemoglobin and reduced oxygen transport in the blood.

Antioxidants

Vitamins (such as A, C, and E) that bind with free radicals to excrete toxins from the body.

Beriberi

A disease involving nerve inflammation and muscle weakness caused by a deficiency of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine).

Pellagra

A condition resulting from Vitamin B3 (Niacin) deficiency, characterized by skin rash, diarrhoea, and memory loss.

Spina bifida

A neural tube defect where part of the baby's spine is open, linked to foliage acid deficiency in pregnant women.

Gestational diabetes

A temporary form of diabetes that can develop in pregnant women suffering from obesity.

Foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)

Physically and intellectually disabling conditions in children caused by alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

Lactating mothers

Mothers who are breastfeeding their infants.

Energy value of proteins

$1\,g$ of protein provides $17\,kJ$ of energy.

Energy value of carbohydrates

$1\,g$ of carbohydrates provides $17\,kJ$ of energy.

Energy value of lipids

$1\,g$ of fat provides $38\,kJ$ of energy.