Nutrients and their uses

What are Nutrients

Nutrients are food substances that help a body to grow and develop. There are actually 6 nutrients but water is sometimes considered as a nutrient because it hydrates us and it acts as lubricant.

” As I told you in Balanced diet that we should take every nutrient in balanced proportions to stay healthy”

Types of Nutrients

There are 7 nutrients including water.

• Carbohydrates
• Proteins
• Fats also called lipids
• Proteins
• Minerals
• Fibre (do not confuse fiber with fibre)
• Water

Uses of Nutrients.

Have you ever wondered that why there are so many nutrients. Each one has its own purpose. The list below shows their uses

• Carbohydrates is used to get instant energy
• Proteins is used for muscle and tissue repair
• Fats is used for insulating the skin
• Fibre is used for bowel movement
• Water is used as a lubricant
• Vitamins are used to regulate body processes
• Minerals are used for making harmones and enzymes

Enzymes and Acids

Enzymes are biocatalysts which help to speed up reactions but do not take part in reaction. To explain this we have to look into lock and diagram

This is a lock and key model. take one to be enzyme and the other substrate(food). When they combine they form enzyme substrate complex. The list below shows enzymes and on which nutrient they combine to form enzyme substrate complex.

• Amylase react on Carbohydrates
• Protease, trypsin and pepsin react on protein
• Bile and lipase react on lipids

Acids like HCl kills pathogens and also activates pepsin a enzyme