Healthy Aging Through a Balanced Diet
Essential nutrients are components in food that your body can't make on its own, and that we need to grow, function, and stay healthy. So we must get these nutrients through our diets. There are six classes of essential nutrients. Carbohydrates are the main source of calories,or energy, in the diet. Fats also give us energy and help with normal growth and development, immune function, vitamin absorption, hormone production, and more. Proteins, and the amino acids they are made of, are major structural components of our bodies' cells, and are responsible for building and repair of tissues, and maintenance of muscle and lean body mass. There are 13 essential vitamins which have important jobs such as keeping our nerves healthy, helping us resist infection, assisting with blood clotting, and keeping our metabolism running. Minerals are only needed in small amounts but play a vital role in muscle contraction, fluid balance, food digestion, bone building,blood pressure reg...