Digestion/Metabolism

Introduction to Digestion and Metabolism

• Lecture focus: Processes controlling digestion rather than anatomy, essential for understanding GI system diseases.

• Importance of metabolism and its relationship to body weight and fitness levels.

Basics of Nutrition

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• Nutrition is essential for survival, changing across the lifespan from infancy to adulthood.

• Definition: Nutrients are substances from food providing energy to maintain bodily functions.

  • **Examples of Nutrients:

    • Calcium (from milk)

    • Protein (from chicken)

    • Sugars (from cereals like Froot Loops)**

• Digestion involves breaking down food and absorbing necessary nutrients while excreting waste.

Importance of Nutrients

• Essential for maintaining muscle, bone, skin, and overall body function.

• Consider the nutritional value of meals: \ \ - Nutritional content vs. unhealthy additives.

  • Example: Fried chicken provides protein but also unhealthy fats.

  • Assess food benefits vs. drawbacks.

Malnutrition

• Definition: An imbalance in nutrient intake affecting health.

• Can occur in both underweight and overweight individuals.

  • Causes include slowed metabolism, poor access to food, or unhealthy eating habits.

• Symptoms of malnutrition: Muscle loss, skin issues, impaired organ function.

Energy and Weight Management

• To maintain weight, energy intake (kcal) must meet energy needs; exceeding results in weight gain.

• Importance of MyPlate for dietary planning, considering patients’ preferences for compliance.

Understanding Metabolism

• Definition: Metabolism is a biochemical process converting nutrients into energy and building body requirements.

• Three main metabolic purposes:

  1. Converts nutrients into energy for bodily functions.

  2. Utilizes food nutrients for the body’s needs.

  3. Eliminates unneeded waste.

• Differentiation between catabolic (breakdown) and anabolic (building) reactions.

Impact of Diet on Metabolism

• Differences between protein and carbohydrates in sustaining energy levels.

  • Proteins provide longer-lasting energy than carbohydrates.

• Importance of maintaining balanced diets without excessive restriction.

The Role of Enzymes

• Enzymes are crucial for metabolic reactions, helping break down food components and facilitating bodily functions.

• Examples include amylase for carbohydrates, lipase for fats, and protease for proteins.

Assessing Nutritional Health

• Importance of gathering dietary information and using tools like BMI to assess nutritional status.

• Examples of nutritional-related cues indicating dysfunction:

  • Sudden weight changes, changes in mental status, fatigue, and skin condition.

Application to Nursing Practice

• The nurse's role involves gathering data, assessing patient needs, educating on nutrition, and providing tailored care plans.

• Importance of addressing lifestyle changes, medical history, and social factors impacting nutrition.

Patient Interaction and Education

• Engage patients in discussions about their diets ensuring comprehension and compliance.

• Recognize barriers to adequate nutrition. Examples include:

  • Financial limitations, lack of knowledge about healthy diets, and social isolation.

Geriatric Nutrition Considerations

• Risk factors for undernutrition in older adults include:

  • Acute/chronic limitations on mobility, reduced income, and social isolation.

  • Impact of cognitive decline on nutrition and meal preparation.

• Importance of involving caregivers or family members in discussions about the patient’s dietary needs.

Lab Assessments

• CBC can reveal deficiencies like anemia due to insufficient iron or protein intake.

• Monitor electrolytes to assess nutritional status.

• Importance of regular assessment for early identification of malnutrition.

Conclusion

• Ensuring adequate nutrition is vital for health across all ages.

• As nurses, maintain awareness of individual dietary needs and adjust care plans accordingly, considering cultural preferences and personal health status.