Essential and non essential nutrients make up all of the vitamins, acids, fats, and minerals that a living body needs to be healthy. The way we create or obtain the correct amount of each is very different, as well as which particular nutrients fit into which category.
Essentially Everything About Essential Nutrients
1. Basics
Essential nutrients are any nutrients that body cannot make by it’s self, or at least no at much as we need. These are nutrients that the body needs to perform it’s basic functions. There are many different essential nutrients and many different ways to obtain them.
2. What They Are
There are six basic essential nutrients that the body needs. These are protein, minerals, fat, vitamins, carbohydrates, and water. The body needs all of these for various reasons and cannot produce them in adequate amounts. Each of the categories listed above can also be broken down into more specific nutrients. Some of these are:
Amino Acids: Leucine, Valine, Arginine
Vitamins: A, B6, D, C, B12
Minerals: Iron, Potassium, Calcium, Sodium, Chloride
3. Where We Can Get Them
Many foods are rich in essential nutrients. Diet is a fabulous way to supplement them into your body. You can also provide your body with essential nutrients through vitamin and mineral supplements. If you are looking to boost nutrient intake through diet then it is important to know which ones your body is needing more of. For some examples; foods richest in calcium include sesame seeds, turnip greens, sardines, and tofu. Foods that are richest in potassium are lima beans, soybeans, lentils, and swiss chard.
4. Other Species
Different specials of living things, like dogs, bears, birds, and fish, all need different essential nutrients. Each species body is completely unique and needs a different blend of fuel to make it work properly. These dietary needs greatly impact the environment in which they live and the foods that they eat.
All About Non Essential Nutrients
1. Overview
Non essential nutrients are nutrients that are made naturally in the body. They can also be absorbed through certain foods. Even though they are referred to as non essential they are still important in maintaining health. If there is a deficiency of ones of these nutrients disease can occur.
2. What Are They?
Just about all vitamins are in fact considered essential nutrients. The body, however, does produce some in some interesting ways. Vitamin D is produced from exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun and is important for bone health and calcium absorption. Biotin is another non essential nutrient that the body produces in adequate amounts.
3. Deficiencies
Most vitamins are needed for normal bodily functions and any absence of these can become a serious health condition. Deficiencies in non essential nutrients are particularly important to monitor because it is an indicator of a underlying condition.
Differences Between Essential and Non Essential Nutrients
1.We Need Both
Unlike what the names may lead you to believe, both essential and non essential nutrients are needed by the body. The difference between the two are the process in which they are obtained. With essential nutrients, the needed vitamins and minerals must be supplemented because they are not made naturally by the body. Non essential nutrients get their name because many people don’t even have to think about them because processes in the body create them naturally.
2. Amount
Our bodies require many more essential minerals than non essential. The body only produces a very limited handful of non essential nutrients, while many more are still needed.
3. Gender
Your age and gender all effect the amount of each nutrient your body needs to perform correctly. Men typically need more amino acids than woman, while woman need to consume more calcium.