Nutrient Density A measure of the nutrients provided by a food relative to its calorie content Nutrition Chapter 1 Essential Nutrients A nutrient that must be consumed Calories Unit by which energy is measured measured in Kilocalories Fortified foods the addition of essential nutrients to foods foods in which one or more essential nutrients have been added Dietary supplements Provide nutrients but do not offer all the benefits of foods Phytochemicals Found in plant based foods responsible for giving colors and flavor to plants non essential nutrient but can be beneficial for health Six categories of nutrients Vitamins minerals water carbohydrates proteins lipids Micronutrients are needed in small amounts vitamins and minerals Macronutrients are needed in large amounts water carbohydrates proteins lipids Three functions of Nutrients Provide energy form structures and regulation Provide Energy Macronutrients are main sources of energy used to maintain body functions fuel physical work and repair the body micronutrients regulate bio chemical reactions that released energy contained in macronutrients Form Structures water fat and protein comprise most body weight with the exception of vitamins all the classes of nutrients are involved in forming and maintaining the body s structure Regulation Body temperature blood pressure hormones and cell communication speed up reactions Malnutrition Energy or nutrient intake greater or less than optimal requirements it can cause negative immediate and long term effects Under nutrition Too little of a nutrient or nutrients or calories the more severe deficiency the more dramatic symptoms Over nutrition Too much of a nutrient or nutrients or calories overconsumption of dietary supplements nutrients calories Nutritional Genomics The study of interactions between genes and nutrition Three core principles of eating a healthy diet Eat a variety of foods balance your choices and practice moderation Scientific Method Make an observation propose a hypothesis design conduct experiment develop theory based on the results Epidemiological Studies Studies that explore the impact of nutrition and health among population groups Clinical Studies intervention studies Observations hypothesis that arise from epidemiological studies can be tested using clinical trials intervention component include an experimental group and a control group Animal Studies Can provide preliminary data that often lead to human subjects care must be taken when extrapolating animal results to humans Biochemistry or molecular biology Laboratory based techniques to study nutrients functions in the body biochemistry to study chemical reactions that provide certain nutrients molecular to study how nutrients regulate our genes Valid experiments Quantifiable data appropriate experimental population proper controls results must be interpreted correctly