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...
Wood Dale Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareAbout 12.6 million Americans currently have heart disease.1.1 million Americans... Read More
The adrenal or "stress glands" are small, triangular shaped glands... Read More
Numerous reports have recently appeared in both the lay and... Read More
The reason I remember the first time I was served... Read More
Who suffers from Eating Disorders?Eating Disorder sufferers are male and... Read More
Obesity is epidemic in this country for both children and... Read More
East Meets WestAsian cultures have realized the medical benefits of... Read More
"You are what you eat."Does it sound familiar? You probably... Read More
If you are like most people, you've tried dieting before.... Read More
Heart disease remains the number one cause of death in... Read More
You wouldn't judge a book by its cover, would you?You... Read More
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed.... Read More
If you are like most people, you are probably confused... Read More
About 12.6 million Americans currently have heart disease.1.1 million Americans... Read More
According to the National Institute of Health, Magnesium is needed... Read More
Dieters who dejectedly complain they are figuratively "stuck" with their... Read More
America's major dietary deficiency - EFA a panacea for good... Read More
They sit left behind on relish trays. They're often by-passed... Read More
Fruit calories are very healthy as compared to calories in... Read More
The story of creation begins with water. Water is an... Read More
Picture yourself in one of the following scenarios.You're cruising along... Read More
Eating grain products - breads, cakes, cereals - have long... Read More
First of all you have to have a bucket. You... Read More
It would be fair to assume that almost everyone on... Read More
The body is a marvelous creation, a carbon, oxygen combustion... Read More
Antigo wedding limo ..If you're suffering from constipation, you are no doubt looking... Read More
The importance of protein in a healthy diet is well... Read More
Have you seen those "fat free" foods in supermarkets? Have... Read More
Bright white teeth and fresh breath does not necessarily... Read More
A hundred years ago, life was very different here on... Read More
It would be fair to assume that almost everyone on... Read More
Fad diets have been around for more than 50 years... Read More
Some experts consider carbohydrate craving and addiction as something more... Read More
There are so many topics to discuss which affect our... Read More
Summer is not too far away. It is almost time... Read More
With the array of different diets and diet foods available... Read More
Heart Disease remains the number one cause of death in... Read More
Strict "no carb" phases of low carb diets have developed... Read More
Why does disease begin in the digestive tract? Your digestive... Read More
Glucosamine is readily produced in the human body and is... Read More
We know we need to eat a minimum of 5... Read More
Fats have been unfairly lumped together as being all bad... Read More
In this newsletter we will discuss the current controversy about... Read More
Cholesterol is an essential building block of every cell in... Read More
With today's time constraints, stressful jobs, and "thin is in"... Read More
You are a mineral bodyEvery part of you is made... Read More
Are Your Cells Talking To Each Other?Communication! It permeates our... Read More
Vitamins & Minerals are essential to sustain life. Its what... Read More
You can spot a juicer a mile off at the... Read More
Glowing skin comes free of charge to you. Our simple... Read More
Nutrition |