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6: Essential Nutrients

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    157533

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    • 6.1: What are the nutrients?
      This page explains the importance of nutrients, essential substances from food that support basic bodily functions. It outlines six essential nutrient classes: proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water, detailing their roles in energy provision, structural support, and regulation of body processes. Additionally, it mentions that non-nutrients can have either harmful or beneficial effects.
    • 6.2: Macronutrients
      This page covers macronutrients essential for health: carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and water. Carbohydrates are key energy sources, classified into simple and complex forms, with glucose being significant. Proteins, composed of amino acids, provide structural support and catalyze reactions. Lipids are energy stores and important for cell membranes and insulation. Although water has no calories, it's crucial for bodily functions.
    • 6.3: Micronutrients
      This page details micronutrients, which are crucial for bodily functions and include 16 minerals and 13 vitamins. These nutrients support enzyme activity without providing energy. Key minerals like sodium, potassium, and calcium assist with fluid balance and muscle function, while trace minerals such as iron and zinc are vital for energy production and immune support.
    • 6.4: Dietary Guidelines
      This page emphasizes the significance of adhering to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which are updated every five years by HHS and USDA. It underscores the importance of proper macro and micronutrient intake to promote health and reduce chronic disease risk, highlighting the prevalence of overweight and obesity among adults and the need for compliance with dietary recommendations for improved health outcomes.
    • 6.5: End Chapter
      This page details key learning objectives in nutrition, highlighting the six essential nutrients: macronutrients and micronutrients. It stresses the importance of researching food nutrient content and comprehending the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, as well as identifying individual nutrient needs and understanding how these guidelines were developed.

    This page titled 6: Essential Nutrients was last modified on Sun, 27 Sep 2026 02:34:55 GMT and is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Stephanie Green and Kelli Shallal via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.