Building blocks that must be in the food you eat
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Bernard Nebel.
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a) Amino acids: The need for amino acids in the diet is self-evident from Lesson B-25. Cell metabolism via enzymes can change one amino acid into another by manipulating side groups, but the base amino acids must be present to start.
b) Vitamins: Each vitamin is a particular molecule that is essential in a cell’s metabolism. Most vitamins function as COENZYMES. That is, the vitamin molecule must be present along with the enzyme for the enzyme to catalyze the reaction. Each vitamin is specific to a particular reaction.
Plants are able to synthesize these vitamin molecules but our bodies can’t. Therefore, they must be present in the diet. A listing of vitamins, their molecular formulas, and functions in the body are given here:
c) Minerals: Minerals refer to the chemical elements (beyond the basic carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen) that must be in the diet. Examination of proteins for example shows the necessity of nitrogen and sulfur (present in some side groups). ATP shows the essential need for phosphorus. Calcium is an essential constituent of bone. Beyond these a number of different elements play an integral role in the functioning of certain enzymes or carrier molecules. For example iron (Fe) is essential in hemoglobin, the carrier of oxygen in the blood.
A listing of essential minerals, their role in body, and sources can be found here:
https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/ta3912
Note the two classes of required minerals: “Macrominerals”–those that are required in significant amounts, and Trace minerals or “Microminerals”–those that are required in trace amounts. Importantly, Minerals, especially trace minerals taken in excessive amounts can be highly toxic.
Note that all these mineral elements (with the exception of sodium) are initially withdrawn form the soil by plants. Sodium is the one element we “eat” in its mineral form, i.e., sodium chloride or table salt.
Malnutrition: A diet lacking any essential ingredient (amino acid, vitamin, or mineral) results in the body gradually entering a disease state of MALNUTRITION. The symptoms of the malnutrition will vary depending on the ingredient missing. The following link will facilitate your pursuing this as desired:
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