Health depends largely on a diet rich in nutritious foods. Unfortunately, our diet, lifestyle, and other environmental factors may not always provide us with the optimal level of nutrients our body needs. This is where nutrient supplements come in to fill the gap. No doubt, herbal supplements can never be a substitute for a balanced and healthy diet and lifestyle but can complement them to fulfill your body’s essential nutrient requirement.
Why are Nutrients Essential for Our Body?
Nutrients are chemical elements or compounds found in food. These actively participate in the metabolic reactions necessary for the body to function.
Nutritional needs vary throughout the life cycle, both in childhood and adolescence, pregnancy, lactation, when the population is adult or elderly, and in athletes. For this reason, it is important to know the requirement of necessary nutrients in each segment of the population.
Effects of Nutrients Essential at the Cellular Level
Repairing Effect
The nutrients that we have taught you in this list fulfill the function of forming the cellular structure that guarantees the growth and renewal of all your organs and systems.
This effect is more visible during times of human growth, which is only possible because nutrients help cells divide and thus increase their number.
Although we must not lose sight of the fact that this effect occurs throughout the life cycle, for example when wounds heal thanks to new skin cells, new red blood cells, etc. they replace the previously affected cells.
Regulatory Effect
Nutrients are also responsible for controlling certain chemical reactions that occur at the cellular level and that is the very first basis of everything we know as a state of health.
Energetic Effect
Without a doubt, nutrients are what guarantee optimal cellular functioning and allow us to move our muscles, organs, or our neurons to interconnect and think.
Depending on the amount of nutrients to be ingested, essential nutrients are divided into two large groups:
- Macronutrients: They are necessary and must be taken in large doses daily, such as proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.
- Micronutrients: these must be consumed in small amounts daily and are made up of vitamins and minerals.
The nutrients that the human body needs can be obtained with a balanced and varied diet, based on the principles of the Mediterranean food pyramid. However, some foods are richer in some nutrients than others.
Nutrients Essential for the Body
Some of the essential nutrients for the proper functioning of the body are as follows:
Proteins
They are responsible for supporting cells to carry out their daily work to regulate the function of tissues. They also help make new cells, repair old ones, create hormones and enzymes, and keep the immune system working properly.
Where do you get protein? They must be present in all your meals through eggs, meat, red or white, fish and shellfish, there are also vegetable proteins that come from grains and nuts.
Carbohydrates
They are the body’s gasoline. They provide energy that gives the cells, the brain, and the blood enough fuel to function properly. Without carbohydrates, the body feels weak, without strength.
You can get them from bread, pasta, rice, fruits, and vegetables. Since carbohydrates are converted to glucose, make sure you choose the healthiest ones and skip those that have refined sugars.
Fats
One of the most misunderstood nutrients of the food chain, fats are necessary for the production of cells and hormones, in addition to helping vitamins move through the body.
Its bad reputation comes from excess fat concentration since the body converts excess calories into fat. However, a healthy level of fat helps absorb vitamins A, D, E, and K, all of which are fat soluble.
Just be sure to consume the “good” or monounsaturated fats found in nuts, avocados, and fish like salmon or mackerel, instead of saturating your cholesterol or triglyceride levels with fried foods and processed foods.
Vitamins and Minerals
What are the key nutrients? Who are the kings of nutrition? Vitamins are essential for the body’s metabolism, which makes them participate in different processes, such as those that allow good vision, strong bones, and hair growth.
For their part, minerals help regulate the proper functioning of tissues and systems. Potassium, for example, helps muscles function, while calcium takes care of bones and teeth.
Fiber
Fiber is usually one of those forgotten in the diet but you can make the most of it since it amazingly optimizes your entire digestive system thanks to its natural properties that regulate intestinal transit.
On the other hand, it is an effective element in the prevention of cardiovascular related conditions such as high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure, etc.
For Lack of Nutrients, Supplements are the Right Solution!
The absence of nutrients in the body is not uncommon today. The experts point out that although in the first world countries, there are no more severe nutritional deficiencies such as those that in the past could lead to scurvy (caused by a lack of vitamin C), beriberi (caused by thiamine deficiency), or malnutrition (due to protein shortage.)
However, currently, an unbalanced diet can cause certain health issues. It is common to find women suffering from anemia due to a deficit in iron intake. For this reason, even if you’re taking an adequate and balanced diet containing the necessary nutrients your body needs every day, it may be unavoidable to use different types of nutritional supplements to fulfill those needs.
A person needs to consume all these essential nutrients that support the body’s vital functions, including the immune system, the central nervous system, growth, and prevention of health issues. Even if you consume a healthy diet, combining it with nutrient supplements will ensure that you’re taking the necessary daily servings.