What is the definition for nutrition
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Definition of Nutrition: A Comprehensive Overview
Introduction to Nutrition Science
Nutrition is a multifaceted science that examines how nutrients and other substances in food interact with the body to support maintenance, growth, reproduction, health, and disease prevention. It encompasses a wide range of processes including food intake, absorption, assimilation, biosynthesis, catabolism, and excretion2 8.
Biological and Physiological Aspects of Nutrition
At its core, nutrition is a biological science. It involves the physiological processes by which living organisms, both human and animal, absorb and utilize food to ensure growth, energy, reproduction, and tissue repair5. This includes the ingestion, digestion, absorption, and transportation of nutrients, which are then used for energy, growth, and maintaining bodily functions4.
Nutrients and Their Roles
Nutrients are the chemical compounds in food that are essential for life. They are categorized into macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fats) and micronutrients (vitamins, minerals). Macronutrients provide energy and are required in larger amounts, while micronutrients are needed in smaller quantities but are crucial for various bodily functions8 9. Additionally, fiber, though not a nutrient, plays a significant role in digestion5.
Nutrition as an Integrative Discipline
Nutrition is not limited to biological processes; it is an integrative discipline that also encompasses social and environmental sciences. This broader perspective includes the study of how diet affects population health and planetary health, emphasizing the interconnectedness of human health and the environment1 6.
The Role of Diet in Health and Disease
A healthy diet is essential for maintaining overall health and preventing diseases. It involves the consumption of a balanced mix of nutrients that support bodily functions and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and osteoporosis8 9. Proper food preparation and storage methods are also crucial to preserve nutrient integrity and prevent foodborne illnesses2 8.
Evolution of Nutrition Science
The field of nutrition has evolved significantly over time. Initially focused on preventing deficiency diseases, it now also emphasizes health promotion and disease prevention. This shift includes a greater focus on education about good nutrition and the use of nutritional supplements3. Modern nutrition science also integrates new discoveries in genomics and other fields, reflecting its dynamic and expanding nature6.
Conclusion
In summary, nutrition is a comprehensive science that studies the interaction of food and nutrients with the body to support life and health. It is an integrative discipline that spans biological, social, and environmental sciences, highlighting the importance of a balanced diet in maintaining health and preventing disease. As our understanding of nutrition continues to grow, it remains a critical field for promoting individual and public health.
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The principles, definition and dimensions of the new nutrition science
The new nutrition science will maintain its identity as a biological science, but also be a social and environmental science, focusing on personal, population, and planetary health.
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Nutrition is the study of the interaction of nutrients and substances in food, affecting an organism's maintenance, growth, reproduction, health, and disease.
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
Nutrition is now viewed as a health promotion and protection mechanism, with a shift from focusing on obesity and eating disorders to improved education and increased use of nutritional supplements.
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Nutrition is a multi-disciplinary science that encompasses various disciplines, and its inclusion in medical education is crucial for improving teaching and promoting its integration into the overall medical curriculum.
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Nutrition science needs a new conceptual framework that integrates biology, environment, and social sciences to better address personal, population, and planetary health in the 21st century.
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