Food Choices and Human Health PDF

Food Choices and Human Health Introduction to Human Nutrition Faculty of Science Department of Biochemistry A Lifetime of Nourishment Nutrition: The study of how A well-chosen array of foods will food nourishes the body prevent malnutriti...

Food Choices and Human Health Introduction to Human Nutrition Faculty of Science Department of Biochemistry A Lifetime of Nourishment Nutrition: The study of how A well-chosen array of foods will food nourishes the body prevent malnutrition Food: Any substance the body Malnutrition includes: can take in and assimilate; a Nutrient deficiencies source of nutrients Nutrient imbalances Nutrient excesses Diet: The food and beverages a person usually eats and drinks Faculty of Science | Department of Biochemistry A Lifetime of Nourishment Foods consumed have a cumulative effect on your body The effects become obvious with age Diet has a significant impact upon long-term health prospects Only two lifestyle habits have a stronger influence on long-term health than dietary choices: Smoking and other tobacco use Excessive alcohol consumption Faculty of Science Department of Biochemistry How Powerful Is a Nutritious Diet in Preventing Disease? Faculty of Science Department of Biochemistry Nutrition and Disease Faculty of Science | Department of Biochemistry Genetics and Individuality Genome: The full complement of genetic material in the chromosomes of a cell DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid): The molecule that encodes genetic information in its structure Faculty of Science | Department of Biochemistry Nutritional Genomics What is nutritional genomics? The science of how nutrients affect the activity of genes and how genes affect the activity of nutrients Holds great promise for advances in nutrition science What is the current state of the science and application?? Canadian example of academic start-up: https://www.nutrigenomix.com/ Faculty of Science | Department of Biochemistry Other Lifestyle Choices Besides diet, other factors affect health: Tobacco use Alcohol use Substance abuse Physical activity Sleep Stress Conditions at home and work Faculty of Science Department of Biochemistry The Human Body and Its Food Energy: The capacity to do work The energy that fuels the human body comes indirectly from the sun via plants Food energy is measured in calories or kilojoules Faculty of Science Department of Biochemistry Materials of Food and the Human Body Nutrients: Components of food required for the body’s functioning Roles: Provide energy Building material Maintenance and repair Support growth Faculty of Science | Department of Biochemistry The Nutrients in Food Six categories of nutrients: Essential nutrients: Water Nutrients that the body either cannot Carbohydrates make, or cannot make fast enough, from Fat Energy-yielding other raw materials Protein Vitamins Nutrients that must be obtained from food Minerals If not obtained, deficiencies will occur Faculty of Science Department of Biochemistry The Nutrients in Food Water A form of carbohydrate Essential nutrients: Some lipids Some parts of protein Vitamins Minerals Faculty of Science | Department of Biochemistry The Nutrients in Food Calories: Units of energy Kilocalorie = kcalorie = Calorie Used to measure energy in food Amount of heat energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of water 1°C Joules or kilojoules: Unit of energy To convert kcals to kJs, multiplying by 4.18 (e.g. 100 kcals = 418 kJ) Defines both kinetic and chemical energy (1 watt = 1 joule per second) Faculty of Science Department of Biochemistry Calorie Values of Energy-Yielding Nutrients The energy a person consumes in a day’s meals comes from these three energy-yielding nutrients; alcohol, if consumed, also contributes energy Learning Activity: Calculate the total amount of Calories found in a food item that contains 10 grams carbohydrate, 5 grams fat, and 4 grams protein. 10 g x 4 = 40 calories from CHO 5 g x 9 = 45 calories from Fat Total = 101 Calories 4 g x 4 = 16 calories from Protein