The sources in the body An essential nutrient is a nutrient that the body cannot synthesize on its own -- or not to an adequate amount -- and must be provided by the diet. These nutrients are necessary for the body to function properly. The six essential nutrients include carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals and water. Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are the main energy source for the brain. Without carbohydrates, the body could not function properly. Sources include fruits, breads and grains, starchy vegetables and sugars. Whole grains and fruit are full of fibre will reduces the risk of coronary heart disease and helps maintain normal blood glucose levels. Protein: Protein is the major structural component of cells and is responsible for the building and repair of body tissues. Protein is broken down into amino acids, which are building blocks of protein. The lack of protein will result in hair loss, having fat where your muscles should be and also feeling much more tired. You can find protein in meat, fish, eggs and beans. Fats: Fat is an energy source that when consumed, increases the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins including vitamins A, D, E and K. Twenty to 35 percent of your daily intake should come from fat. Fat is a nutrient that is good for you but to much of it can make you ill. Consuming too much fat could leave you with different types of diseases; cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease etc. Though too much is bad for your health, having not enough can cause malnutrition from fat-soluble essential nutrients. This causes deficiency diseases. For example, rickets can be caused by lack of vitamin D, a fat soluble nutrient. Vitamin K deficiency is often result of fat malabsorption and that can result in haemorrhagic disease. Vitamins: There are different types of vitamins that have different types of jobs in the body. Vitamin A-This vitamin is needed for vision, healthy skin and mucous membranes, bone and tooth growth, immune system health you can get vitamin A from animal sources milk, cheese, cream, butter, fortified margarine, eggs, liver. Vitamin C- This is part of an enzyme needed for protein metabolism; important for immune system health; aids in iron absorption. We can find this only in fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits, vegetables in the cabbage family, cantaloupe, strawberries, peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, lettuce, papayas, mangoes, kiwifruit Vitamin D- This vitamin is proper absorption of calcium; stored in bones, found in egg yolks, liver, fatty fish, fortified milk, fortified margarine. Vitamin E- This vitamin is antioxidant; protects cell walls its polyunsaturated plant oils (soybean, corn, cottonseed, safflower); leafy green vegetables; wheat germ; whole-grain products; liver; egg yolks; nuts and seeds. Vitamin K- This is needed for proper blood clotting and is found in leafy green vegetables and vegetables in the cabbage family; milk; also produced in intestinal tract by bacteria.. Minerals- Sodium helps to maintain fluid volume outside of the cells and helps cells to function normally. Keep intake under 2,400 milligrams per day. Potassium maintains fluid volume inside and outside of cells and prevents the excess rise of blood pressure with increased sodium intake. Rich sources include bananas, potatoes and tomatoes. Calcium helps to maintain and build strong bones and teeth. Include three servings of calcium-rich foods per day including milk, low-fat cheese and yogurt. Water-Water helps to maintain homeostasis in the body and transports nutrients to cells. Water also assists in removing waste products from the body. All beverages and high-moisture foods such as soup and watermelon contain water and count towards your daily water requirement. Adults should consume 25 to 35 millilitres of fluids per kilogram body weight or 2 to 3 litres per day.

What are nutrients? Nutrients are the essential substances that we get from our food. They are what the body needs to perform its daily functions properly. All foods contain different nutrients, and you will need to eat a variety of nutrients to be able to get enough of all the nutrients your body needs. When someone is diagnosed with an illness or any disease, the person also gets told to eat more of some types of foods, or less of some other (even if the person is also prescribed medication). Back to food and diet. Medication is only there to treat symptoms, after the event or illness has started; and not the root cause of the disease or illness.

Nutrient deficiencies Malnutrition, from overeating unhealthy foods or from not eating adequate amounts of nutritious foods, has a big impact on your immune system. Several vitamins and minerals are essential to keep your immune system working at its best. When you don't fill your diet with nutrient-dense foods, your immune system suffers. By Toni-Ann 8H1 This disease is an iron dediciency,where your nails split and joints swell. Rickets are a disease caused by the lack of Vitamin D. This is characterised in softening and disorientation of the bones. The lack of carbohydrates will decrease your energy making you become more tired. It will also result in unhealthy weight loss,. Hair loss is the lack of protein in your body. The reason you loose your hair is because your body may ration in shutting down hair growth.