Nutrition - What is it?

Nutrition refers to the balance of nutrients taken into the body versus the bodies requirements for them. These nutrients break down into various categories and classifications. Ways of classifying nutrients include assessing:Solids -v- LiquidsMacro-nutrients -v- MicronutrientsFats -v- Carbohydrates -v- ProteinsFibre (Wet -v- Dry) ContentCaloric content (calories or kilojoules)

It is important to understand that nutrition and nutritional requirements represent an ever-changing picture, a balance between requirements and input (food and supplements). Factors which influence this balance include:IntakeAbsorptionUtilisationStorageExcretion

A Deficiency State occurs when the body's requirements are not met, and this naturally varies from individual to individual. This can result from alteration to the factors listed above, ieDecreased Intake: not eating, starvation and dieting, poor food choices, problems with chewing or swallowingDecreased Absorption: gastrointestinal illness, alcohol, drugsDecreased Storage: metabolic disease, liver diseaseIncreased utilisation: growing, pregnancy, lactation, surgery, infection, trauma, drugs (including the Pill)Increased Excretion: gastrointestinal disease, drugs

Some people are particularly vulnerable to nutritional deficiency for one or more of the reasons mentioned above.

Increased Nutritional Risk:Chronic IllnessHospitalisedInstitutionalisedDrug abuseAlcohol abuseLong term medicationRecent immigrantsAboriginesHomelessSolitary livingTeenagersElderlyPregnant/lactating women