Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Nutrients - Basic Information

A nutrient is a food or chemicals that an organism needs to live and grow. The effects of nutrients are dose-dependent. Healthy brain function (like any other human organ) depends on correct nutrient intake.

Organic nutrients include carbohydrates, fats, proteins (or their building blocks, amino acids), and vitamins. Inorganic chemical compounds such as minerals; water and oxygen may also be considered nutrients.

A nutrient is essential to an organism if it cannot be synthesized by the organism in sufficient quantities and must be obtained from an external source. Nutrients needed in relatively large quantities are called macronutrients and those needed in relatively small quantities are called micronutrients or trace elements.

For a list of micronutrients check: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_micronutrients

For a list of macronutrients check: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_macronutrients

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