(UNIT I)

INTRODUCTION TO
NUTRITION
ASHFAQ AHMAD SAHIL (BSN,PGD.Psy,MPH,MSN*)
LECTURER INS (KMU)
Objectives

At the end of this unit learners will be able to:

 Define nutrition.

 Differentiate between macronutrients &

micronutrients.

 Explain elements of macronutrients & micronutrients.

 Discuss importance of nutrition in nursing.

Nutrition
 “Nutrition is the study of nutrients in food, how the body
uses them, and the relationship between diet, health, and
disease”.
 Nutrition also focuses on how people can use dietary
choices to reduce the risk of disease, what happens if a
person has too much or too little of a nutrient, and how
allergies work.
 Nutrients provide nourishment. Proteins, carbohydrates,
fat, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and water are all nutrients.
 If people do not have the right balance of nutrients in
their diet, their risk of developing certain health
conditions increases.
Macronutrients & Micronutrients
Macronutrients are nutrients that people need in relatively large
quantities. Macronutrients includes:
 Carbohydrates
 Proteins
 Fats
 Water
Micronutrients are essential in small amounts. It include:
 Vitamins and
 Minerals
Macronutrients: Carbohydrates
 Sugar, starch, and fiber are types of carbohydrates.
 Sugars are simple carbs.
 The body quickly breaks down and absorbs sugars and
processed starch.
 They can provide rapid energy, but they do not leave a person
feeling full.
 They can also cause a spike in blood sugar levels.
 Frequent sugar spikes increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and
its complications.
Cont…
 Fiber is also a carbohydrate. The body breaks down
some types of fiber and uses them for energy.
 Fiber and unprocessed starch are complex carbs.
 It takes the body some time to break down and absorb
complex carbs.
 After eating fiber, a person will feel full for longer.
 Fiber may also reduce the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular
disease, and colorectal cancer.
Proteins
Macronutrients: Proteins
 Proteins consist of amino acids, which are organic
compounds that occur naturally.
 There are 20 amino acids. Some of these are essential,
which means people need to obtain them from food. The
body can make the others.
 Some foods provide complete protein, which means they
contain all the essential amino acids the body needs.
 Most plant-based foods do not contain complete protein,
so a person who follows a vegan diet needs to eat a
range of foods throughout the day that provides the
essential amino acids.
Macronutrients: Fats
Fats are essential for:
 Lubricating joints
 Helping organs produce hormones
 Enabling the body to absorb certain vitamins
 Reducing inflammation
 Preserving brain health
 Unsaturated fats, such as olive oil, are more healthful than
saturated fats, which tend to come from animals.
 Too much fat can lead to obesity, high cholesterol, liver
disease, and other health problems.
Macronutrients: Water
 The adult human body is up to 60% water, and it needs
water for many processes.
 Water contains no calories, and it does not provide
energy.
 Many people recommend consuming 2 liters, or 8 glasses,
of water a day, but it can also come from dietary sources,
such as fruit and vegetables.
 Adequate hydration will result in pale yellow urine.
 Requirements will also depend on an individual’s body
size and age, environmental factors, activity levels, health
status, and so on.
Micronutrients: Minerals
 The body needs carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen.
 It also needs dietary minerals, such as iron, potassium, and
so on.
 In most cases, a varied and balanced diet will provide the
minerals a person needs. If a deficiency occurs, a doctor
may recommend supplements.
 Here are some of the minerals the body needs to
function well.
Potassium
 Potassium is an electrolyte. It enables the kidneys, the
heart, the muscles, and the nerves to work properly.
The 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for
Americans recommend that adults consume 4,700
milligrams of potassium each day.
 Too little can lead to high blood pressure, stroke,
and kidney stones.
 Too much may be harmful to people with kidney disease.
 Avocados, coconut water, bananas, dried fruit, squash,
beans, and lentils are good sources.
Sodium
Sodium is an electrolyte that helps:
 Maintain nerve and muscle function
 Regulate fluid levels in the body
 Too little can lead to hyponatremia. Symptoms include lethargy,
confusion, and fatigue.
 Too much can lead to high blood pressure, which increases the
risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
 Current guidelines recommend consuming no more than
2,300 mg of sodium a day, or around one teaspoon.
Calcium
 The body needs calcium to form bones and teeth. It
also supports the nervous system, cardiovascular
health, and other functions.
 Too little can cause bones and teeth to weaken.
Symptoms of a severe deficiency include tingling in the
fingers and changes in heart rhythm, which can be life-
threatening.
 Too much can lead to constipation, kidney stones, and
reduced absorption of other minerals.
 Current guidelines for adults recommend consuming
1,000 mg a day, and 1,200 mg for women aged 51 and
over.
 Good sources include dairy products, legumes,and
green, leafy vegetables.
Phosphorus
 Phosphorus is present in all body cells
and contributes to the health of the bones and
teeth.
 Too little phosphorus can lead to bone diseases,
affect appetite, muscle strength, and coordination.
It can also result in anemia, a higher risk of
infection, burning or prickling sensations in the
skin, and confusion.
 Too much in the diet is unlikely to cause health
problems though toxicity is possible from
supplements, medications, and phosphorus
metabolism problems.
 Adults should aim to consume around 700 mg of
phosphorus each day.
 Good sources include dairy products, salmon,
lentils, and cashews.
Magnesium
 Magnesium contributes to muscle and nerve
function. It helps regulate blood pressure and
blood sugar levels, and it enables the body to
produce proteins, bone, and DNA.
 Too little magnesium can eventually lead to
weakness, nausea, tiredness, restless legs, sleep
conditions, and other symptoms.
 Too much can result in digestive and, eventually,
heart problems.
 Nuts, spinach, and beans are good sources of
magnesium. Adult females need 320 mg of
magnesium each day, and adult males need 420
mg.
Zinc
 Zinc plays a role in the health of body cells, the
immune system, wound healing, and the creation
of proteins.
 Too little can lead to hair loss, skin sores, changes
in taste or smell,and diarrhea.
 Too much can lead to digestive problems
and headaches.
 Adult females need 8 mg of zinc a day, and adult
males need 11 mg.
 Dietary sources include oysters, beef,
fortified breakfast cereals, and baked beans.
Iron
 Iron is crucial for the formation of red blood
cells, which carry oxygen to all parts of the
body. It also plays a role in forming connective
tissue and creating hormones.
 Too little can result in anemia, including
digestive issues, weakness, and difficulty
thinking.
 Too much can lead to digestive problems, and
very high levels can be fatal.
 Good sources include fortified cereals, beef
liver, lentils, spinach.
 Adults need 8 mg of iron a day, but females
need 18 mg during their reproductive years.
Manganese
 The body uses manganese to produce energy,
it plays a role in blood clotting, and it
supports the immune system.
 Too little can result in weak bones in children,
skin rashes in men, and mood changes in
women.
 Too much can lead to tremors, muscle
spasms, and other symptoms, but only with
very high amounts.
 Mussels, hazelnuts, brown rice, chickpeas, and
spinach all provide manganese.
 Male adults need 2.3 mg of manganese each
day, and females need 1.8 mg.
Copper
 Copper helps the body make energy and
produce connective tissues and blood vessels.
 Too little copper can lead to tiredness, patches
of light skin, high cholesterol, and connective
tissue disorders.
 Too much copper can result in liver damage,
abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea. Too much
copper also reduces the absorption of zinc.
 Good sources include beef liver, oysters,
potatoes, mushrooms, sesame seeds, and
sunflower seeds. Adults need 900
micrograms (mcg) of copper each day.
Selenium
 Selenium is made up of over 24 selenoproteins, and it plays
a crucial role in reproductive and thyroid health. As
an antioxidant, it can also prevent cell damage.
 Too much selenium can cause garlic breath, diarrhea, irritability,
skin rashes, brittle hair or nails, and other symptoms.
 Too little can result in heart disease, infertility in men,
and arthritis.
 Adults need 55 mcg of selenium a day.
 Brazil nuts are an excellent source of selenium. Other plant
sources include spinach, oatmeal, and baked beans. Tuna, ham,
and enriched macaroni are all excellent sources.
Vitamins
 People need small amounts of various
vitamins. Some of these, such as vitamin C,
are also antioxidants. This means they help
protect cells from damage by removing toxic
molecules, known as free radicals, from the
body.
 Vitamins can be:
 Water-soluble: The eight B vitamins and
vitamin C
 Fat-soluble: Vitamins A, D, E, and K
Water soluble vitamins
 People need to consume water-soluble vitamins regularly
because the body removes them more quickly, and it
cannot store them easily.
Fat-soluble vitamins

 The body absorbs fat-soluble vitamins through the

intestines with the help of fats (lipids).
 The body can store them and does not remove them
quickly.
 People who follow a low-fat diet may not be able to
absorb enough of these vitamins.
 If too many build up, problems can arise.
Importance of Nutrition in Nursing
 Nurses promote healthy nutrition to prevent
disease, assist patients to recover from illness and
surgery, and teach patients how to optimally manage
chronic illness with healthy food choices.
 Healthy nutrition helps to prevent obesity and
chronic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus and
cardiovascular disease.
 By proactively encouraging healthy eating habits,
nurses provide the tools for patients to maintain
their health.
Cont….
 When patients are recovering from illness or surgery,
nurses use strategies to promote good nutrition even
when a patient has a poor appetite or nausea.

 If a patient develops chronic disease, the nurse provides

education about prescribed diets that can help manage
the disease, such as a low carbohydrate diet for patients
with diabetes or a low fat, low salt, low cholesterol diet
for patients with cardiovascular disease.

 Nurses also administer alternative forms of nutrition,

such as enteral (tube) feedings or parenteral
(intravenous) feedings.
 Cont….
 Nurses also advocate for patients with conditions that can cause
nutritional deficits. For example, a nurse may be the first to notice
that a patient is having difficulty swallowing at mealtime and
advocates for a swallow study to prevent aspiration.
 A nurse may also notice other psychosocial risk factors that place
a patient at risk for poor nutrition in their home environment and
make appropriate referrals to enhance their nutritional status.
References
 https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/160774#micr
onutrients
 https://wtcs.pressbooks.pub/nursingfundamentals/chapter/
14-3-applying-the-nursing-process/