How Nutrients Become You
Food, Nutrients, and Energy
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Six Nutrient Groups:
Carbohydrates
 Fats
 Proteins
 Vitamins
 Minerals
 Water
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Each nutrient has a specific job that is vital to good
health
The Functions of Nutrients
Essential nutrients from food are used
to:
* build and repair body tissues
-needed during periods of growth
* regulate all body processes
-digestion, metabolism, etc
* provide energy
-need energy for all of life’s processes
Chemistry of Nutrients
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Five of the basic nutrient groups are
compounds:
Carbohydrates
 Fats
 Proteins
 Vitamins
 Water
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Minerals are elements.
The Energy Value of Food
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The energy value of food is measured in
units called kilocalories.
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1 gram of carbohydrates = 4 kilocalories of
energy
1 gram of fat = 9 kilocalories of energy
1 gram protein = 4 kilocalories of energy
Water, vitamins, and minerals do not yield
energy.
The more calories in a food, the more energy it
will provide.
The Digestion Process
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Digestion-the process by which your body
breaks down food, and the nutrients in
food, into simpler substances.
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1.Mechanical-chewing
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In the Mouth
Mastication or chewing is first step.
Chew food well-it aids in digestion.
Salivary glands – produce saliva a mixture of about
99% water plus a few chemicals.
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Keeps mouth moist, gives food taste, moistens, softens
and dissolves food, helps cleanse teeth and neutralize
mouth acids.
 2.
Chemical-breakdown of food into
simpler compounds
Digestion
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As food is digested, it passes through a muscular
tube leading from the mouth to the anus. This
tube is called the gastrointestinal (GI) tractPeristalisis
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Each section performs important functions.
Sections of the GI tract
The
 The
 The
 The
 The
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mouth
esophagus
stomach
small intestine
large intestine
Functions of GI Tract
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In the Esophagus
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Passageway from the mouth to the stomach.
Tube about 10 inches long
Breathing automatically stops when you swallow to
prevent choking.
Squeezing motions in the esophagus called peristalsis
moves the food to the stomach.
In the Stomach
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Produces gastric juices to aid digestion.
Gastric juices made of hydrochloric acid, digestive
juices and mucus.
Chyme –food and gastric juices combined.
Stomach can hold about 1 quart of food.
Food stays in stomach 2 to 3 hours.
Functions of GI Tract
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In the Small Intestine
 95%
of digestion occurs here.
 Has 3 sections: duodenum, jejunum, ileum.
 Is about 20 feet long and 1 inch in diameter.
 Takes about 5-14 hours for food to move
from the mouth through small intestine.
 Pancreas, a gland behind the stomach aids
the small intestine.
 Liver is involved in the chemical digestion in
the small intestine with use of bile-breaks
down fat.
Functions of GI Tract
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Large Intestine
 Food
moves from small intestine to the large
intestine (colon).
 Measure 5-6 feet when stretched.
 Main job is to reabsorb water, very little
digestion.
 Chyme stays in large intestine 1-3 days
before elimination.
 Solid waste called feces, leave the large
intestine through the rectum and the body
through the anus.
Absorption of Nutrients
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Absorption is the passage of nutrients
from the digestive tract into the circulatory
of lymphatic system.
Some nutrients can dissolve in water.
They are called water-soluble nutrients.
Some nutrients can dissolve in fat. They
are called fat-soluble nutrients.
Factors Affecting Digestion and
Absorption
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Eating Habits
 Choose a nutritious diet that includes a wide range of foods.
 Take time to enjoy your food, no rushing to eat.
 Watch the make up of your food choices.
 High fat foods longer to digest.
 Foods high in carbs leave stomach faster.
 Be aware of the wholesomeness of your food.
 Spoiled and contaminated foods can cause intestinal problems.
Emotions
 Reduce stress while eating
 Enjoyable environment helps.
Food Allergies
 Food allergy is a reaction of the immune system to certain proteins
found in food.
 Symptoms – vomiting, stomach pain, intestinal distress, skin rashes,
swelling, and breathing problems.
 Food sensitivities - lactose intolerant
Physical Activity
 Aids in digestion and metabolism
 Stimulates a healthy appetite and strengthens muscles of the internal
organs.
Digestive Disorders
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Diarrhea
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Constipation
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Open sore in the lining of the stomach or small intestine, caused by a bacterium.
May be hereditary connection, stress, or excessive alcohol or aspirin use.
Gallstones
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Caused by stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus. Known as reflux
GERD
Ulcer
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Caused by stress, eating too much or too fast, or eating particular foods.
Symptoms are gas, stomach cramps and nausea.
Heartburn
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Feces become hard in large intestine, making bowel movements painful.
Caused by erratic eating habits, low fiber intake, lack of physical activity, drinking too
little water.
Indigestion
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Causes food to move through digestive system too quickly for nutrients to be fully
absorbed.
Leads to a loss of body fluids
Small crystals that form from bile in the gallbladder. When these block the duct
connecting the gallbladder to small intestine cause for great pain.
May slow fat digestion and pools of fluid in the liver.
Diverticulosis
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Abnormal pouches forming in the intestinal wall and become inflamed.
Caused by diet too low in fiber, or diet too high in fat or an inactive lifestyle.
Assignment
Take laptop from carts to complete
worksheet. Put worksheet in binder
when complete.
 Return laptop.
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