Nutrients and Nutrition: notes

Main nutrients

• Protein: growth and repair. Sources: beans, eggs, meat, fish, groundnuts.
• Carbohydrate: energy. Sources: sadza, rice, bread, potatoes.
• Fat: stored energy and warmth; carries vitamins A, D, E and K.
• Fibre: helps food move through the gut and prevents constipation.
• Water: needed for every body process.

Vitamins and minerals

• Vitamin A: sight. Vitamin C: healthy gums, helps iron absorption. Vitamin D: strong bones.
• Calcium: bones and teeth. Iron: red blood cells. Iodine: thyroid gland.

Deficiency diseases

• Kwashiorkor: too little protein. Rickets: too little vitamin D. Scurvy: too little vitamin C.
• Anaemia: too little iron. Goitre: too little iodine.