Nutrients and Nutrient
Requirements
Topic 3041
Developed by Amanda R. Moore
Overview
I.
Object of Nutrition
II.
Definitions
III. Classes of Nutrients
Object of Nutrition
 To convert feedstuffs into desirable products
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Meat
Milk
Eggs
Fiber
Work
Definitions
 Nutrition: The science of dealing with the
utilization of food by the body and all
processes which transform food into body
tissues and activities
 Nutrient: Any single class of food or group
of like foods that aids in the support of life
and makes it possible for animals to grow or
provides energy for physiological processes
Definitions
 Digestible Nutrient: That portion of a
nutrient which may be broken
down(digested), absorbed and used by the
body
Six Classes of Nutrients
 Water
 Carbohydrates
 Fats
 Minerals
 Vitamins
 Protein
Water
 Makes up at least 70% of the composition
of most plants and animals
 Controls body temperature
 Helps in maintaining shape
 Involved in nutrient transportation on the
cellular level
 Helps in digestion
Water
 Serves as a carrier for waste products that are
a result of body functions
 Is a major part of all body fluids
 A loss of 20% of body water will result in
death
 In general, animals need 3lbs of water for
every 1lb of solid feed consumed
Carbohydrates
 Furnish the body with energy
 Make up the largest part of an animal’s food
supply
 Are made of carbon, oxygen and hydrogen
 Includes: sugars, starches and fibers
Fats
 Furnish a concentrated source of energy
 Form cholesterol, hormones and other body
components
 Found in every cell in the body
 Affect condition of skin and hair when not
present in the body
 Made of carbon, oxygen hydrogen
Fats
 Contain much larger proportions of carbon and
hydrogen than carbohydrates
 Essential fatty acids are necessary for production of
some hormones and hormone-like substances
 Also provide
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Energy reserves
Protection for vital organs
Insulation for the body
Proteins
 Needed throughout life for growth and repair
 Help to form:
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Muscles
Internal organs
Skin
Hair
Wool
Feathers
Hooves
Horns
Proteins
 Contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and
approximately 16% nitrogen
 Are essential in livestock feed
 Crude Protein
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Total amount of protein in a feed
Is calculated by multiplying % nitrogen content
by 6.25
Proteins
 Digestible Protein
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Protein in feed that can be digested by an animal
Approximately 50-80% of crude protein
Minerals
 Needed in all parts of the body
 Primarily found in bones and teeth
 Make up important parts of many organic
materials
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Ie: iron in the hemoglobin molecule in the red
blood cell carries oxygen
 Heartbeat depends upon mineral balance to
maintain regularity
Vitamins
 Essential for life and health
 Needed only in very small amounts
 Can do the following:
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Vitamin E: provide defense against disease
Vitamin D: promote growth
Vitamin B12: reproductive health
 Contribute to general health of the animal
Digestion
 Nutrients are converted to a form that cells
can use
 Nutrients are then transported by the
digestive system