Nutritions

Important Features of Nutrients

In this paper, we will examine the functions, food sources, and deficiencies of each nutrient that is <100%. Following is the list of nutrients that has a value of <100%:

Saturated Fat

Omega-3 Linolenic

Dietary Fiber

Water

Vitamin D

Vitamin A (RAE)

Alpha-Tocopherol

Magnesium

Potassium

Saturated fats

Saturated fats have no double bond and cannot bind to any other type of atom. The peculiar characteristic of their being "saturated" is the greater density than unsaturated fats. They are present in animal fats, milk and dairy products, such as eggs and margarine. Together with the excesses of cholesterol, there is a positive association between diet rich in saturated fatty acids and increased incidence of certain cardiovascular diseases, especially coronary heart disease and its fearsome consequences (angina pectoris, myocardial infarction and stroke) (Morgan, pp. 12-22).

Omega-3

Omega-3 is a class of fatty acids, which are essential for the proper functioning of the body. They are best known for their presence in cell membranes and maintaining their integrity. Sometimes they are grouped as Vitamin F. They are generally found in the following foods:

Fish

Fish oil

Shellfish

Walnuts

Vegetable oils

The effects of omega-3 fatty acids on the different proteins in the human body are not yet fully defined. The most striking effect and clearly shown is the decrease of the levels of triglycerides and VLDL (very low density lipoproteins) in all subjects. It was also found that this type of fat helps to regulate blood pressure by increasing the elasticity of the arteries (Choi, pp. 23-29).

Dietary Fiber

Dietary Fiber plays an important role in the proper functioning of the digestive tract. It has been proven that increasing fiber intake by 10 grams in three meals a day will reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. Fiber does not increase the energy value of the meal. One of its features is the ability to swell (polysaccharides and lignin). Dietary fiber ...