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...
Do we really need a home water filter? Can't we... Read More
One way to combat the boredom many people complain accompanies... Read More
The above foods contain high antioxidant capacity. These foods were... Read More
About 12.6 million Americans currently have heart disease.1.1 million Americans... Read More
Are you concerned about taking care of your body before... Read More
Diets don't work. If they did the U.S. of A.... Read More
I'm 40-something years old, and for 40-something years breakfast has... Read More
Fats have been unfairly lumped together as being all bad... Read More
According to the Congress of the International Society on Thrombosis... Read More
Whenever possible, we should try to get our antioxidants and... Read More
Diets concern especially Americans as they do have a "national... Read More
Green tea has been used as for medical remedies in... Read More
People want to get the very best they can when... Read More
Most digestive disorders develop because of the bodys inability to... Read More
Our bodies are truly incredible machines. What makes cells healthy?... Read More
With the array of different diets and diet foods available... Read More
Food nutrition factsFinding food nutrition facts and dietary nutrition used... Read More
Increasing the fiber in your diet has been shown to:... Read More
When it comes to planning a healthy diet, fat is... Read More
The natural antioxidants in Oat Bran can significantly reduce blood... Read More
Imagine you're a cell.Inside your body runs the machinery that... Read More
Looking for an easy and natural way increase your vitality... Read More
All carbohydrates are not the same. Generally it is assumed... Read More
Niacin, also called nicotinic acid, is a member of the... Read More
The Benefits of SnackingYou may feel regretful about snacking, but... Read More
Do you need omega 3 fatty acid in your diet?... Read More
Lactose is the primary carbohydrate in milk. Cow's milk contains... Read More
Mineral nutritionSearching for mineral nutrition information is much easier today... Read More
It slows ageing, promotes healthy vision, has anti-cancer properties, increases... Read More
Essential fatty acids are the number one recommendation for anyone... Read More
If you're looking for a power-packed entrée or soup to... Read More
What is health? Everyone wants this thing called health, and... Read More
Food addiction isn't a problem. Pretending like you can't live... Read More
Every where you look you see articles or news or... Read More
Enzymes are the workers in our body that make everything... Read More
Beans. Legumes. Pulses. Whatever you call this plant group, they... Read More
Beverages - and not just alcohol - are a significant... Read More
It slows ageing, promotes healthy vision, has anti-cancer properties, increases... Read More
Every day we are bombarded with information about food products... Read More
Unfortunately, it has been proved beyond doubt that a large... Read More
Although many realize that the liver has its own cleansing... Read More
Understanding What a Low Cholesterol Diet isBasically, in order to... Read More
What I am also going to point out is the... Read More
Do you need omega 3 fatty acid in your diet?... Read More
(ARA) - By now you probably think you've heard all... Read More
You can start today - right now, even - on... Read More
Your face turns flush and your skin starts to itch.... Read More
THE RISKWhen you consume food that's high in acid or... Read More
Are you concerned about taking care of your body before... Read More
Many people use sugar as medicine. Sugar tends to change... Read More
Apart from eating many of the wonderful vegetables and fruits... Read More
In order for a person to actually have a healthy... Read More
If you drop a bomb, you kill not only your... Read More
Tired of having stare-downs with those boxes of Krispy Kremes,... Read More
For the executive, maintaining the much-needed balance between career, family,... Read More
The best weight training and cardio workouts will do very... Read More
Cranberry juice was first made by American settlers in 1683.... Read More
Today, more than ever, consumers over the age of 50... Read More
We know we need to eat a minimum of 5... Read More
Most recipes end with instructions to "serve immediately." You could... Read More
Could it be possible that our beloved chocolate may actually... Read More
Are Your Cells Talking To Each Other?Communication! It permeates our... Read More
Summer is not too far away. It is almost time... Read More
Like the Sun, Moon, and Earth, there are three kinds... Read More
When you actually sit down and think about it, bottled... Read More
Most digestive disorders develop because of the bodys inability to... Read More
Nutrition |