Homostasis - Nutrition Part 1 - 22 August 2012

There are 5 main food groups, Carbohydrates, Proteins, Lipids, Inorganic substances and Dietary fibre.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates consist of monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides.

Monosaccharides

There are 3 types of monosaccharides that we have learnt - Glucose, Fructose and Galactose.

Formulas:

Glucose + Glucose = Maltose
Fructose + Glucose = Sucrose
Galactose + Glucose = Lactose

Disaccharides

Disaccharides are when 2 monosaccharides. 

Polysaccharides

Polysaccharides are when multiple monosaccharides are combined.

Proteins

Proteins are broken down into polypeptides and polypeptides can then be further broken down into amino acids. The reverse can also occur (ie Amino acids combine to form polypeptides and polypeptides can then combine to form proteins.)

Deficiency: Kwashiokor (characterised as a bloated stomach)

Lipids/Fats       

Lipids, also known as fats, is broken down into glycerol and fatty acids. Glycerol can combine with fatty acids to form lipids.

Inorganic substances comprises vitamins and and minerals.

Vitamins 

We have learnt 5 types of vitamins, namely Vitamin A, C, D, E and K.

Vitamin A

Deficiency results in night blindness.
Source: Carrot, dark-green leafy vegetables, eggs

Vitamin C

Deficiency results in scurvy.
Source: Fresh citrus foods, green vegetables

Vitamin D

Deficiency results in rickets.
Source: Sunlight, fortified milk and margarine, eggs and butter, cod liver oil.

Vitamin E

Deficiency results in anemla.
Source: Vegetable oils like soyabean oil and corn oil.

Vitamin K

Deficiency results in excessive bleeding.
Source: Sunlight, fortified milk and margarine, eggs and butter, produced by the micro-flauna found in the large intestine.

Minerals consists of calcium and iron.

Calcium 

Deficiency results in rickets.
Source: Cereals, green vegetables, eggs and fruits.

Iron

Deficiency results in anemla.
Source: Liver, meat, eggs and green vegetables.

Dietary fibre

Deficiency results in constipation.