This article is an introduction to my blog. Eventually, I will be posting on topics related to nutrition in specific scenarios, for instance, nutrition and IBD’s, nutrition and fitness, nutrition and blood pressure, etc.

What is nutrition?

Nutrition is conformed of a sequence of processes: food intake, digestion, and absorbance. Our bodies are like machines that break down the food and absorb the fuel that it needs to keep functioning properly. Proteins, vitamins, minerals and other substances are absorbed by our bodies and used as they are needed. The unnecessary material is excreted or thrown away through the anus. Many of the enzymes we obtain from digestion are used to create ATP, a form of energy that allows the movement of muscles, either voluntarily or not.  

What is the importance of following a suitable nutrition?

As mentioned before, we obtain the components needed to function from the food we eat. There is a huge variety of components that are necessary, and not having all of them could affect our tissues and organs, taking us to the point of disease and even death. For example, vitamin D manages calcium concentration in blood, bones and gut, and a deficit in this one could lead an organism to have bone deformation, lose weight and weakness. Something similar happens with other vitamins, proteins, and minerals, their deficit has negative effects on our wellbeing. Some individuals might have problems in their intestines and cannot absorb the nutrients as well as others. Using nutritional supplements could be a helpful way to nurture the body.

As bad as a deficit, is an excessive amount, therefore we need to be careful. Very high levels of vitamin D, for example, can cause a build up of calcium, disease called hypercalcemia, which also induces vomiting, weakness, among other uncomfortable symptoms. Based on the examples and concepts covered above, we can get to the importance of a suitable nutrition. An organism needs to consume the right amount of nutrients, neither too much nor too little, so it functions appropriately.