The factors that affect the nutritional requirements of an individual are the quality and quantity of the food they eat, the efficiency of their digestive system in absorbing and utilizing eaten food and biochemical availability.
The quality of food that we eat can vary depending on the soil and growing conditions of that food. Soil that has been overworked and chemicals added and also drugs and antibiotics that have been given to livestock and crops to aid growth are all factors that affect nutrition in our food and can affect our own body's biochemistry. Nutritional quality of our food can be affected by the manufacturing process, storage and preparation of our food.
The quantity of food that we eat also influences our nutritional status. In developing countries malnutrition is a huge problem but in developed countries under nutrition can occur due to dependency on heavy refined processed foods.
The efficiency of our digestive system affects our nutritional status. Bad condition of our intestines will reduce the absorption of digested foods into our blood stream. Metabolic faults, sensitivity to certain food and the presence of substances like tea and coffee can affect the absorption rate of certain nutrients.
Biochemical availability is the optimum range of intake of a person essential nutritional requirement. This nutritional requirement is influenced by age, growth, sex, pregnancy and breastfeeding, illness, psychological and emotional stress, activity level and other factors like smoking and drinking.
Nutritional requirements change as a person gets older, because the elderly use a lot of medication their absorption, excretion and utilization of nutrients can be affected. Growing children have different nutritional needs to that of adults. For example, a growing infant requires a higher intake of essential fatty acids than that of an adult. In the same way there are different nutrition requirements for young and old there are also very different requirements between the sexes. For example, a woman's nutritional requirements can vary throughout her menstrual cycle, also a woman who is pregnant or breastfeeding has different nutritional requirement to that of one who is not. Nutritional requirement vary depending on whether someone is healthy or ill. As diseases are unique so are the nutritional requirements needed whilst that person is ill. The same applies to psychological and emotional stress. When people are affected by stress their appetite is affected, this results in less intake of food which in turn results in less nutrients being absorbed.
A person activity level will affect their nutritional requirement. An athlete will need a different nutritional requirement to that of an office worker. Exercise improves metabolic efficiency in some people and increases nutrient requirement.
People may find that certain nutritional requirements are increase within their family. Genetics can play a part in an extra need for certain nutrients. Other factors such as using recreational drugs, smoking and drinking can affect nutrient requirements. Even beverages like Tea and Coffee can affect nutrient requirements; they both inhibit the absorption of Iron and Zinc.
Stewart Hare C.H.Ed Dip NutTh
Bespoke consultations for a healthier natural life
website: http://www.newbeingnutrition.com Get a free initial nutritional therapy diagnosis now...
one time home cleaning Morton Grove ..Besides providing taste, color, and aroma, certain seasonings can also... Read More
There are numerous diets out there that guarantee that they... Read More
Modern life can be stressful. There are so many concerns... Read More
Today's tip is on hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).Hypoglycemia affects both... Read More
In health circles there has been much recent talk about... Read More
Did you know that there might be poison in many... Read More
The ingredients list found on the back or side panel... Read More
The above foods contain high antioxidant capacity. These foods were... Read More
The sugar industry and the food manufacturers are capitalizing BIG... Read More
I am sure you have heard you have to build... Read More
Weight loss plans are almost always trying to get you... Read More
Sprouts not only taste good, but they are also a... Read More
Having a large amount of such "visceral fat" is associated... Read More
Question from Jack:A question from Jack, one of the subscribers... Read More
Instead of Butter: Use top quality, cold pressed, extra virgin... Read More
Chances are you may have had a food product that... Read More
Bread is one of the oldest known recipes to man.... Read More
Apple cider vinegar is a product of apple juice fermentation.... Read More
Having a personal wellness program has become a concern for... Read More
Most recipes end with instructions to "serve immediately." You could... Read More
What I am also going to point out is the... Read More
The most incredible thing you can do for yourself is... Read More
Glowing skin comes free of charge to you. Our simple... Read More
It is amazing to be able to say I am... Read More
Some experts consider carbohydrate craving and addiction as something more... Read More
eco-friendly cleaning service Glencoe ..What is nutrition? We hear so many reports today on... Read More
The Mediterranean Diet is now recognized as one of the... Read More
What if you could actually slow your rate of aging,... Read More
Most red and white meats are very fatty and are... Read More
Do you know your ph? By getting ph strips at... Read More
Looking for an easy and natural way increase your vitality... Read More
What are Glyconutrients? Glyconutrients are eight newly discovered biologically-active sugars... Read More
What if there was a combination of foods that were... Read More
Inflammation is not a disease.Inflammation is best described as a... Read More
THE RISKNo doubt you've heard of the increasingly popular "raw... Read More
Did you know the average American gains 5-7 pounds every... Read More
I'm always amazed at how many people seem to know... Read More
Everyone can benefit from understanding how food affects our... Read More
I am sure you have heard you have to build... Read More
This is such a busy time of year, isn't it?... Read More
Here's something you probably don't know. The fruit and vegetables... Read More
In a new study published by the American Heart Association,... Read More
The quality of food we eat (or lack thereof) has... Read More
You can start today - right now, even - on... Read More
The typical American diet already provides plenty of protein and... Read More
Looking into statistics, we can see the average American consumes... Read More
Just what is the "New Biology of Health?" And who's... Read More
The Human Body is in a constant flux with the... Read More
In large part, you're in control of your health, not... Read More
One must always keep in mind that copper is not... Read More
Nutrition |