Nutrition Midterm Chapters 1-7 Flashcards

Nutrition Fundamentals

• Nutrition Definition: Study of food's role in nourishing the body and influencing health.
• Healthy People 2020: National health promotion and disease prevention initiative by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Nutrient Categories

• Macronutrients: Proteins, fats, and carbohydrates crucial for energy and function; measured in calories.
• Micronutrients: Vitamins and minerals, noncaloric, needed for metabolic processes.

Macronutrient Details

• Carbohydrates: Primary energy source, stored as glycogen in muscles and liver; includes digestible and non-digestible fiber.
• Proteins: Comprised of amino acids, essential for cell growth and repair, metabolic regulation, fluid balance, and energy when necessary.
• Lipids/Fats: Provide energy, assist vitamin absorption, offer organ protection, and improve food palatability.

Vitamins and Dietary Guidelines

• Fat-Soluble Vitamins: A, D, E, K.
• Water-Soluble Vitamins: C and B vitamins.
• Dietary Guidelines for Americans: Developed by USDA and USDHHS to promote healthful lifestyles.

Nutritional Requirements

• RDA: Recommended Dietary Allowance, the standard for nutrient intake.
• EAR: Estimated Average Requirement, nutrient levels estimated to meet needs of half the population.
• UL: Tolerable Upper Intake Level, maximum daily intake not likely to cause adverse health effects.
• AI: Adequate Intake, established when RDA cannot be determined.

Health Concepts

• Wellness: A holistic view of health encompassing physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
• Malnutrition: Imbalance in nutritional status from undernutrition or overnutrition.
• Undernutrition: Insufficient nutrient or calorie intake leading to deficiencies.
• Starvation: Severe nutrient deprivation over time causing body tissue breakdown.

Food Labels and Regulations

• FDA: Responsible for food labeling regulation.
• Mandatory Food Label Information: Includes product identity, net contents, manufacturer details, ingredient list, and nutrition information.

Digestive System Overview

• GI Tract: Involves peristalsis for food movement; includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine.
• Hydrolysis: The process of digesting food by adding water.
• Lipase: Enzyme that digests fats.

Carbohydrate and Fat Metabolism

• Digestive Process: Begins in the mouth, continues in the stomach and small intestine; involves enzymes like amylase for carbohydrates and lipase for fats.
• Glycemic Index: Measures a food's potential to raise blood sugar and insulin levels.
• Triglycerides: Composed of glycerol and three fatty acids; energy storage molecules.

Protein Aspects

• Amino Acids: Building blocks of proteins, distinguished by nitrogen presence; essential ones must be consumed.
• Peptide Bonds: Connect amino acids together; proteins synthesized in the ribosome.
• Complete vs. Incomplete Proteins: Complete proteins contain all essential amino acids, whereas incomplete proteins lack some.

Alcohol and Its Effects

• Alcohol Absorption: Mainly in digestive system, primarily metabolized by the liver.
• Caloric Content: 7 kcal per gram of alcohol, with moderate consumption defined.
• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Result of maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy leading to significant infant issues.

Health Implications of Fats

• Saturated vs. Unsaturated Fats: Saturated fats are solid at room temperature, while unsaturated fats contain double bonds and are liquid.
• Essential Fatty Acids: Linoleic (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic (omega-3) fats that must be obtained from the diet.

Metabolic Processes

• Anabolism and Catabolism: Anabolism builds large molecules from smaller substrates; catabolism breaks large molecules down to release energy.
• Transamination: Transfers amine groups to create new amino acids.
• Lipoproteins: Chylomicrons transport lipids into the bloodstream post-digestion.

Disorders and Conditions

• Celiac Disease: Immune reaction damaging the small intestine due to gluten.
• Crohn’s Disease: Inflammatory bowel disease affecting the gastrointestinal tract.

This summary condenses key concepts about nutrition, covering definitions, classifications, digestion, and health impacts of various nutrients and dietary components.

Test your knowledge on key nutrition concepts with these flashcards covering chapters 1-7 of your midterm. Topics include the definition of nutrition, Healthy People 2020 initiatives, and macronutrients. Perfect for a quick review before your exam!