Macronutrient Importance

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Macronutrients are important in maintaining proper health. According to McGuire and Beerman, they are “a class of nutrients that humans need to consume in relatively large quantities (more than a gram per day).” They are further classified into carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and water. Each are necessary for different reasons. First, carbohydrates are important because they function as a major source of energy, are a component in DNA, help maintain health of the digestive tract, and decrease the risk of certain diseases and conditions. Good sources of carbs are typically fresh and unprocessed (or minimally processed). For example, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes are good sources because they are not only fresh and minimally …show more content…

Some of the best sources of protein are fish, milk, eggs, and lean beef. These are healthy options because they do not contain a lot of fat and also have additional health benefits. Thirdly, lipids serve as an energy source, have a role in the structure of cell membranes, and aid in the development and maintenance of the nervous and reproductive systems. Good sources of lipids, or fat, are avocadoes, yogurt, fish (omega 3), and nuts because they can help reduce high cholesterol and are healthy for the body (McGuire & Beerman, 2012). Macronutrients are typically the main bulk of diet plans so knowing which classifications one should increase or decrease can assist in creating a personalized …show more content…

There are many different types that are necessary in maintaining proper health such as riboflavin, vitamin C, and vitamin D. Riboflavin is a water soluble vitamin that is named for its structural component and color. It is important for energy metabolism, synthesizing of vitamins, nerve function, and biological membrane protection. A deficiency in riboflavin would lead to ariboflavinosis (McGuire & Beerman, 2012). Good sources of riboflavin are meat, fish, and dark green vegetables (Powers, 2003). A more commonly known vitamin is vitamin C, or ascorbic acid. This is also a water soluble vitamin. Its major role is as an antioxidant and improving the immune system. Vitamin C can be consumed through citrus, tomatoes, peppers, and carrots. If not enough of this vitamin is consumed, it will lead to scurvy (Garcia-Closas et al, 2004). This vitamin is commonly known because it helps protect against colds. Whenever someone is starting to get sick, they are told to take vitamin C. Lastly, Vitamin D is found in two forms: ergocalciferol (plant) and cholecalciferol (animal). It is important in blood calcium regulation, bone health, and it may even help prevent certain types of cancer. Good sources of vitamin D are ones that occur naturally such as egg yolks, milk, fish, and mushrooms. In addition, vitamin D can also be synthesized through sunlight which is why it is called the sunshine vitamin (McGuire &

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