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Term Sheet: Week 9
BILD 22: Introduction to Human Nutrition
❖ Nutrition and Exercise
❖ General Terms
❖ Essential Nutrients: Substances required for normal body function that must
be obtained from the diet.
❖ Vitamins: Organic compounds that are essential in small amounts and act as
co-enzymes.
❖ Minerals: Inorganic elements essential for various physiological functions,
acting as cofactors in biochemical reactions.
Exercise Physiology
❖ Anaerobic Metabolism: Energy production in the absence of oxygen;
primarily uses carbohydrates.
❖ Aerobic Metabolism: Energy production using oxygen, utilizing both fats and
carbohydrates.
❖ Creatine Phosphate (CP): A high-energy compound that rapidly regenerates
ATP for short bursts of activity (~10 sec).
❖ Glycolysis: Breakdown of glucose into pyruvate, yielding ATP; occurs in
anaerobic conditions.
❖ Acetyl CoA: A central metabolite in carbohydrate and fat metabolism.
❖ Respiratory Quotient (RQ): The ratio of CO₂ produced to O₂ consumed;
indicates fuel utilization.
➢ RQ = 1 → 100% carbohydrates
➢ RQ = 0.7 → 100% fats
Energy Systems in Exercise
❖ ATP-CP System: Immediate energy source (~10 sec); does not require oxygen.
❖ Anaerobic Glycolysis: Energy production from carbohydrates without oxygen;
produces lactic acid.
❖ Aerobic System: Energy production from carbohydrates and fats with oxygen;
used in prolonged exercise.
Training Principles
❖ F.I.T.T. Principle:
➢ Frequency: How often you exercise.
➢ Intensity: Effort level during exercise.
➢ Time: Duration of exercise session.
➢ Type: Specific exercises performed.
Minerals
Macro-Minerals (Required in larger amounts)
❖ Calcium (Ca): Essential for bone health, muscle contraction, and blood clotting.
❖ Magnesium (Mg): Involved in ATP production and enzyme activation.
❖ Sodium (Na): Key for nerve function and fluid balance.
❖ Potassium (K): Helps regulate muscle contractions and nerve signaling.
❖ Micro (Trace) Minerals (Needed in smaller amounts)
❖ Iron (Fe):
➢ Heme Iron: Found in animal sources, highly absorbable.
➢ Non-Heme Iron: Found in plant sources, less absorbable.
➢ Iron-Deficiency Anemia: Condition where low iron reduces
hemoglobin levels.
❖ Copper (Cu): Required for iron metabolism and hemoglobin synthesis.
❖ Zinc (Zn): Important for immune function and wound healing.
Bone Health
❖ Osteoporosis: A condition characterized by weak, porous bones.
❖ Parathyroid Hormone (PTH): Increases blood calcium levels by stimulating
bone breakdown.
❖ Calcitonin: Lowers blood calcium by promoting bone formation.
❖ Vitamin D: Enhances calcium absorption in the intestines.
Special Conditions
❖ Female Athlete Triad:
➢ Disordered eating
➢ Amenorrhea (loss of menstrual cycle)
➢ Low bone density/fractures
❖ Pernicious Anemia: A type of anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency.
❖ Thalassemia: A genetic disorder affecting hemoglobin production.