www.nutrisecret.com - The secrets of nutrition

REVIEW OF BASIC NUTRITION

Energy Nutrition :

1.- The Unit generally used is de Kilocalorie (popularly but incorrectly also known as Calorie) amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 Kg water from 14.5 to 15.5 °C al the level of the sea. ( 1 Kg = 1000 g ; 250 g = 8 oz ).

The usual figures for the energy yield from the metabolism of fuels are:

Carbohydrate 4 Kcal/g
Protein      4 Kcal/g
Fat          9 Kcal/g
Ethanol      7 Kcal/g

2.- Basic Metabolic Rate (BMR) is the rate of oxygen consumption or equivalent heat production, of an awake individual, at rest , who has not eaten for at least 12 hours. To compensate for size differences , the BMR is usually expressed per unit surface area. A typical figure might be 35 Kcal /hr/m². It is higher in children, amles hyperthyroidism, etc.

The daily requirement of energy varies depending on BMR and especially on muscular activity.

Adults :

Sedentary activity     : 20 - 25 Kcal / weight in Kg/ d
Moderate activity      : 25 - 34 Kcal / weight in Kg/ d
strenuous activity     : 35 - 45 Kcal / weight in Kg/ d
Post- surgery patient  : 30 - 45 Kcal / weight in Kg/ d
Hipercatabolic Patient : 45 - 60 Kcal / weight in Kg/ d

3.- Ideal Weight : This is a Parameter number. Statistic study of weight of healthy adults done by Health Insurance Companies.

(Height in feet * 12 + Rest of the Height in inches) 2.54

The ideal weight is the last two digits of the height in cm for men and the same number minus the 10% of this number for women.

To convert this number in Kg to pounds divide by 0.460

Example:

Height  6' 2" tall

      (6 *12 + 2)2.54
      (74)2.54 = 187.96 or 188 cm .

Ideal weight 

For men 6'2" : 88 Kg  or  88 : 0.460 Kg/lb=  191 lb
For women 6'2" : 88 - 8.8 =  79.2 Kg or 79.2 : 0.460 =  172 lb

People have different bone structure, for that the ideal weight is a range , that should not exceed more than 19 % of the ideal weight.

4.- Obesity : Pervasive health problem where the weight of the person is more than 20% of the ideal weight. It predisposes to numerous conditions including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and gallblader disease

Mild       20 - 40% more of  the ideal body weight   
Moderate   41 - 100 % more of the ideal body weight
Severe     More than 100 % of the ideal body weight.

5.- Malnutrition: Chronic diseases, loneliness , physical or mental disabilities, inmovility, and advanced age are factors that affect a good nutrition.

As we get older:

1. There is a progressive loss of Body Mass and height independent of other conditions and increase of body fat.
2. The intestinal absorption of vitamins ( B 12) and minerals like iron -causing anemia- or calcium diminishes -causing osteoporosis or osteomalacia related to lack of small sun exposure to form vitamin D .

On a world-wide basis, malnutrition is also a severe problem. There are two "pure" manifestations of malnutrition: marasmus, where total caloric intake is deficient, and kwashiorkor, where calories are sufficient but intake of protein is deficient. A real situation may be a combination of these.