Nutrition Terminology Definitions of Health Terms of Nutrition

 

In this article "Nutrition Terminology Definitions of Health Terms Nutrition" you can understand the various health terms that are often used during health and nutrition instructions or when checking health status.

Nutrition

Nutrition Eating a healthy and balanced diet. Food and drink provide you with the energy and nutrients you need to stay healthy. Understanding these nutritional rules can help you make better food choices.

Metabolism

Metabolism is the process by which your body uses energy to get or receive energy from the food you eat.

Blood sugar level

Glucose - also known as blood sugar - is the major sugar found in the blood and the main source of energy for your body.

Amino acids

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. The body produces a lot of amino acids and others come from food. The body absorbs amino acids into the bloodstream through the small intestine. Then the blood carries them all over the body.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are one of the main types of nutrients. Your digestive system converts carbohydrates into glucose. Your body uses this sugar for energy to your cells, tissues and organs. It stores any extra sugar in your liver and muscle when needed. There are two types of carbohydrates: simple and complex. Simple carbohydrates contain natural and added sugars. Complex carbohydrates include whole grain breads and whole grains, starchy vegetables and legumes.

Food

Your diet is made up of what you eat and drink. There are many types of diets, including vegetarian diet, weight loss diet and diet for people with certain health problems.

Calories

The unit of energy in the diet. The carbohydrates, fats, protein and alcohol in the foods and beverages we eat provide food energy or "calories".

Food related ingredients

A dietary supplement is a product that you take to replace your diet. It contains one or more foods (including vitamins; minerals; herbs or other botanicals; amino acids; and other substances). Supplements do not have to go through a test done for the effectiveness and safety of the drugs.

Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a lipid, which is a type of fat that is found in all cells of the body. Your body needs some cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D and substances that help you digest food. Your body makes all the cholesterol it needs. However, cholesterol is also found in some of the foods you eat. High levels of cholesterol in the blood increase your risk of heart disease.

Nutrients

Nutrients are chemical compounds in the diet that the body uses to function properly and maintain good health. Examples are proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.

Nutrition

This field of study focuses on foods and substances in foods that help animals (and plants) grow and stay healthy. Nutrition science also includes behaviors and social factors related to food choices. The foods we eat provide energy (calories) and nutrients such as protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and water. Eating the right amount of healthy food will give your body energy to maintain daily activities, help you maintain a healthy body weight and reduce the risk of certain diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

Protein

Every living cell in the body contains protein. Your body needs protein from the foods you eat to build and maintain bones, muscles and skin. You get protein in your diet from meat, dairy products, nuts and some grains and beans. Proteins from meat and other animal products are complete proteins. This means that the body supplies all the amino acids it cannot make on its own. Plant proteins are incomplete. You need to combine different types of plant proteins to get all the amino acids your body needs. You need to eat protein every day because your body does not store fats or carbohydrates in the same way.

Electrolytes

Electrolytes are minerals in body fluids. They include sodium, potassium, magnesium and chloride. When you are dehydrated, your body does not have enough fluid and electrolytes.

Enzymes

Enzymes are substances that accelerate chemical reactions in the body.

Fatty acid

Fatty acid is a major component of fat, which the body uses for energy and tissue development.

Fiber

Fiber is a substance in plants. Dietary fiber is the type of food you eat. It is a kind of carbohydrate. You can see it listed on the food label as soluble fiber or insoluble fiber. Both types have significant health benefits. Fiber makes you feel full faster and longer lasting. It can help you control your weight. It helps with digestion and helps prevent constipation.

Saturated fat

Saturated fat is a type of fat that solidifies at room temperature. Saturated fat is found in whole fat dairy products (such as butter, cheese, cream, regular ice cream and whole milk), coconut oil, lard, palm oil, ready-to-eat meats and chicken skin and fat and turkey, among other foods. Saturated fats have the same calories as other types of fats and eating too much can contribute to weight gain. Eating a diet high in saturated fat also increases the risk of high blood cholesterol and heart disease.

Whole fat

Fat is a type of nutrient. You need some fat in your diet to stay healthy, but not too much. Fats give you energy and help your body absorb vitamins. Dietary fat also plays a major role in your cholesterol levels. Not all fats are the same. You should try to avoid saturated fats and trans fats.

Trans fat

Trans fat is a type of fat that, when liquefied, is converted into solid fats, such as shortening and some margarine. It will last longer without going bad. It can also be found in crackers, cookies and snack foods. Trans fat raises your LDL (bad) cholesterol and lowers your HDL (good) cholesterol.