Nutrition
Definition
Nutrition encompasses the processes by which living organisms obtain, assimilate, and use food materials to maintain health, growth, reproduction, and all bodily functions. It involves the intake of nutrients from food, their absorption, and metabolism within the body.
Analogy
Think of your body as a complex machine and nutrition as the quality fuel and maintenance it needs to run efficiently. Just as a car requires the right type of gasoline, oil, and regular servicing to perform its best on the road, your body needs a balanced diet with the right nutrients to function optimally.
Related terms
Metabolism: The chemical processes occurring within a living cell or organism that are necessary for the maintenance of life, involving the breakdown of substances to provide energy and the synthesis of new materials.
Macronutrients: Essential nutrients required in large amounts for normal growth and development - includes carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
Micronutrients: Vitamins and minerals needed by the body in small amounts but are crucial for proper functioning of metabolic pathways and physiological processes.
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