Nutrients for a Healthier Lifestyle

Nutrients are compounds we all need for our body to function properly.

Several nutrients are essential for growth, reproduction, and good health.

We obtain the most nutrients through the food we consume.

It provides us with energy, building blocks for repair and growth, and substances necessary to regulate chemical processes.

Let's first briefly introduce the concept of nutrients.

You can find the two main types of nutrients, macro and micro, below our introduction.

Tip! Use the "Show Expanded TOC" button if you want to jump straight to a specific nutrient type.

Table of Contents

The Importance Of Nutrients

Your nutrient requirements depend on things like your age, growth stage, activity, and your overall health.

You can get a nutritional imbalance if you are not getting the right amounts of all of the nutrients you need.

A nutritional imbalance can have harmful health effects. Especially in the long run.

You can get unpleasant side effects and conditions that could lead to serious disease.

What Are Essential Nutrients?

Some nutrients are classified as essential for us.

Essential nutrients are ones that cannot be synthesized by the body and, therefore, must be obtained from our diet.

These nutrients are essential for normal body function and growth.

For instance, vitamins are essential nutrients.

While choline, which is not classified as a vitamin, is also an essential micronutrient component, that we mainly get through our diet.

Two Kinds Of Nutrients

Nutrients are divided into macronutrients and micronutrients. Macro is the category where you find nutrients we need in large amounts.

While in the micro category is where you find the nutrients that we need in a lesser amounts but still are essential for us.

We also have a category called other important things connected to nutrients were we talk about energy in thr form of kilocalories and kilojoule for instance.

Macronutrients

Macronutrients are consumed in relatively large quantities and include proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, and fatty acids.

There are three classes of macronutrients: carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins.

You can find more information about macronutrients in Macronutrients: How To Use Them For Your Benefit

Micronutrients

Micronutrients are consumed in relatively smaller quantities but are essential to body processes.

Micronutrients are nutrients required by the body in lesser amounts but are still essential for carrying out bodily functions.

Micronutrients include all the vital minerals and vitamins.

The most common micronutrients are vitamins and minerals.

You can find more information on micronutrients in Micronutrients: How To Use Them For Your Benefit

Other important things connected to nutrients

Here you can find articles that are connected to nutrients but aren't actual nutrients.

Other Important Things Connected To Nutrients

Sara Niemelä

co-founder Care Omnia, Head Content Creator

Author Image of Sara Niemelä

Nutrition is my passion. I've spent thousands upon thousands of hours reading, analyzing, categorizing and comparing research studies.

I’m a wife and a mother of three. I enjoy the outdoors, cooking, and spending time with my family.