A Balanced Diet

Cholesterol functions in the body as an energy source, and furnishes molecular components for the synthesis of various sex hormones.

Carbohydrate is a nutrient essential for energy production and the prevention of ketosis, a state where the production of ketones exceeds metabolism. Protein is a nutrient essential for its components, amino acids. Fat is a nutrient which provides insulation, protection and energy for the body.

In addition to the cardiovascular system, ɳ-3 fatty acids are important for brain development and function. The brain, one of the most vascular organs of the body, is composed sixty percent of fat. It requires ɳ-3 fatty acids to make flexible and fluid multitasking responses (Sears 62). Research indicates that people with the highest blood levels of ɳ-3 DHA had best brain performances and higher brain test scores (Bauer). Brain analysis indicated that people with various nerve diseases, including multiple sclerosis and macular degeneration, consumed high amounts of ɳ-6 fats, but low amounts of ɳ-3 fats. Consuming sufficient amounts of ɳ-3 fatty acids make the three important brain structures healthier: brain cells (neurons), nerves extending from neurons (axons), and connections at the end of neurons (synapses) (Sears 64).

Their bodies don’t make enough ALDP. In ALD there is a deficiency in the enzyme that breaks down VLCFAs, which then accumulate in myelin and the adrenal glands. ALD is an inherited metabolic storage disease whereby a defect in a specific enzyme results in the accumulation of long-chain fatty acids (VLCFA) in all tissues of the body. These VLCFA are harmful for cells and tissues. For reasons that have not yet been resolved brain, spinal cord, testis, and the adrenal glands are primarily affected. In the central nervous system the buildup of VLCFA eventually destroys the myelin sheath that surrounds the nerves causing neurologic problems. VLCFA are toxic to adrenal gland cells and their malfunction causes Addison’s disease (adrenal insufficiency). Though there is no actual treatment to curing ALD, there are many ways that one can lessen the progression of the life-draining disease. Because VLCFA are toxic to myelin, the adrenals and testis, several attempts were made to lower the plasma concentrations of VLCFA. Dietary restriction of VLCFA intake alone has no effect on plasma VLCFA levels. VLCFA are primarily synthesized via chain-elongation of shorter fatty acids. Addition of mono-unsaturated fatty acids to the culture medium of ALD fibroblasts reduces the VLCFA concentrations, probably by competitive inhibition of the endogenous elongation system of saturated fatty acids. This formed the basis of a dietary therapy.

Omega-3, a polyunsaturated fatty acid, has various forms; Alpha Linolenic acid (ALA), Docosahexanoic acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). DHA and EPA are essential fatty-acids meaning that our bodies are unable to endogenously synthesise them, leading us to source omega-3 enriched foods.

Carbohydrates are classified as simple or complex carbohydrates. Many dairy products like eggs and milk, meat, legumes such as beans, nuts, some cereal products are great sources of protein. Proteins are essential nutrients for the human body. Proteins serve as hormones and a source of energy. They allow the body to move, protect it against infection and disease and regulate important chemical reactions needed for life. Lipids consist of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. They include solid fats and liquid oils. Lipids are important to the human body because they provide energy in which are necessary to the maintenance and development of the nervous and reproductive system. Plant-based foods such as nuts (peanuts, almonds, pecans, and pistachios) are great example of lipids. Lipids also contain animal-based foods like meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products like milk, cheese, and butter. Water is the four and final macronutrient class. Water is extremely essential for life, without life would be nonexistence. The water molecule is composed of hydrogen and oxygen atoms and makes up over half of the total human body weight. Everyday humans consume water either through foods they

Proteins are important as they function as enzymes, which are specific and increase the rate of chemical reactions. They are involved in the metabolism and are involved in the creation production of DNA.(Bairoch 2000) Many proteins are involved in the process of cell signaling and transportation of molecules for example ferritin which gathers iron for storage in the liver is a protein. Antibodies which help to prevent infection, illness are made from protein. They bind antigens and destroy them. Hormones are such as insulin is crucial for the regulation of glucose in the body and parathormone is important for bone remodeling. These hormones are created by proteins in the body. Proteins are important for the development, maintaining and repair of body tissues and are the building blocks for organs, muscles, skin and hair. They make up the cytoskeleton which gives cells their shape and size.

Fat provides energy, cushions your organs and allows the body to absorb necessary nutrients such as vitamins A, D, E and K, examples of unsaturated fat include nuts, avocado, tuna and salmon.

Macronutrients are a group of compounds that humans consume in the largest quantities and thus provide the bulk of energy that they consume and use for everyday functioning. The three types of macronutrients are protein, carbohydrate, and fat. Fatty acids are separated into three categories: saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated. The unsaturated fatty acids are known to play a role in cognitive function, learning, and behavior.1, 2 Omega-3 fatty acid is one of the polyunsaturated fatty acids and it can be created from alpha-linolenic acid or obtained directly from maternal milk or fish oil. High amounts of omega-3 fatty acids

Known as essentials for the normal growth and health of the individuals. The sources more common of fatty acids they are fish oils and some vegetable oils like linseed and oil of algae petroleum.

Lipids are a diverse group of molecules that is hydrophobic, encompassing all fatty acids and their derivatives. They are essential in human life, functioning as a long term energy source, a heat insulator, and a membrane structure for cells and organelles. Fatty acids are a component of lipids, with a basic structure of a

Fats are a type of nutrient which is essential within a balanced diet. Dietary fats are essential as they give the body energy and supports cell growth. They also help to protect your organs and helps to insulate the body. Fats also helps the body to absorb nutrients and produce important hormones. There are two main types of fats which our body receives, these are saturated, and polyunsaturated. Saturated fats are usually obtained from animal sources, such as butter, cakes and biscuits. Polyunsaturated fats are mainly found in vegetable sources, such as sunflower oil, nuts and leafy greens.

Every type of food we intake whether it be carbohydrates, lipids, grains, or proteins is needed by the body. Too much or too little of these items can have dramatic effects on the body. Carbohydrates are one example of an item that can hurt you if you have too many or too little in your diet. Too many carbohydrates cannot be burned off by the body and are transferred into fat or expelled from the body, too few do not allowed for energy. Lack of a certain nutrient or too much of one, both can lead to a form of malnutrition which is not limited to too little nutrients.

Carbohydrates are the body’s primary source of energy. Without adequate carbohydrates, a person may feel fatigued and weak, as the body looks elsewhere for sources of energy. A severe lack of carbohydrates can deprive critical bodily organs the necessary energy to properly function. Lipids are naturally occurring organic compounds that include fats and oils. An excess of some lipids can increase the chances of certain health problems, lipids are vital nutrients to a healthy body. Lipids are necessary for the absorption of fat soluble vitamins. A diet too low on lipids lowers the level of good cholesterol, decreases the body’s energy level and can disturb the body’s formation of cells and cell functions.

These include essential fatty acids (EFAs), linolenic and linoleic acid, which the body needs and cannot make on its own and has to get from the foods a person eats (Physicians Committee, n.d.). Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, have many benefits. Some of the benefits are lowering the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure, helping with joint pain, lower depression levels, better visual and neurological development in infants, the possibility of improving lung function and improved mental skills, and they help to protect against Alzheimer’s and Dementia (WebMD, 2014). Research is still being done to determine all of the possible benefits of the EFAs.