Lifetime Fitness: Nutrition


Lifetime Fitness: Nutrition
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Lifetime Fitness: Nutrition
Good health requires proper nutrition. Human metabolism relies on a supply of chemicals called nutrients, which provide energy, and maintain structure and functions of the body. These chemicals are either synthesized by the body or ingested. The ingested nutrients are known as essential nutrients. They contain minerals such as iron and calcium, organic compounds such as essential amino acids, essential fatty acids, and vitamins. Nutrients also comprise organic precursors needed as substrates for synthesizing organic compounds necessary for maintaining the structure and function of human cells. Nutrients play a major role in influencing physiological responses in human beings.
Vitamin C is one of the most important nutritional elements to include in the daily diet. It improves the immune system by improving the white blood cell count. Vitamin C contains antioxidants that fight off the free radicals present in the body preventing inflammation. Ascorbic acid also influences collagen synthesis. A considerate amount of collagen in the body is important in keeping a proper body framework. The body framework consists of the skin, tendons, blood vessels, teeth, and bones. Vitamin C is also important for the cardiovascular system as it cleans the arteries, facilitating a healthy flow of blood to the heart (Harrisona, 2010).
The deficiency of Ascorbic acid may result in various physiological responses in human beings. Taking food with low content of ascorbic acid causes skin problems. Increased amount of vitamin C helps improve the skin health and faster healing by the formation of strong scar tissue. It decreases the effects of trans-epidermal water loss and prevents dry skin and skin wrinkling. Ascorbic acid is also necessary for its antioxidant activity. Lack of this function causes oxidative stress. These incorporate diseases such as hypertensi...