There are certain things that are mandatory for our survival, and essential nutrients are some of them. The big deal about essential nutrients is that your body is unable to manufacture them on its own.
So, here’s the Cliff Note’s version on WHAT you need to supply your body:
Essential Nutrients
It is mandatory to provide your body at least:
- Eight amino acids
- Thirteen vitamins
- Fifteen minerals
- Fatty acids
- Water
- Carbohydrates
Low levels of essential nutrients have been linked to:
* Heart disease
* High blood pressure
* Cancer
* Osteoporosis
* Depression
* Schizophrenia
* Problems with menopause
Essential Vitamins
Essential “vitamins” are broken up into two groups:
* Fat-soluble
* Water soluble
The most essential fat-soluble vitamins include:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
The most essential water-soluble vitamins are:
- Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
- Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
- Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
- Vitamin B3 (niacin)
- Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)
- Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
- Vitamin B12
- Folic acid
- Biotin
Amino Acids
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Without amino acids, our brains would not function, our bodies would not grow, and our immune systems would shut down. The most essential amino acids are:
- L-isoleucine
- L-leucine
- L-lysine
- L-methionine
- L-phenylalanine
- L-threonine
- L-tryptophan
- L-valine
The key to amino acids is to ALWAYS consume them in a grouped minimum of 8 – it is unnatural to consume less than 8 together because they work together to function properly. Isolated amino acids (commonly found in manufactured products and in medications) that contain just one or two amino acids can do more harm than good because without a minimum of 8 to work in synchronicity, isolated amino acids are unnatural to body function, and can become loose cannons.
Essential Minerals
Essential minerals make-up part of the necessary elements for:
* Body tissues
* Fluids
* Other nutrients
* Assist the body’s regulatory system
Essential Fatty Acids
Essential fatty acids found in seafood and unrefined vegetable oil include:
* Linoleic acid
* Linolenic acid
Important fatty acids found in organic fats, oils, and nuts are:
* Oleic acid
* Arachidonic acid
The next time you are at the grocer, remember to buy only the fresh foods that supply ALL these essential nutrients that your body cannot produce on its own.
Happy hunting.
[…] Essential nutrients are nutrients from food that your body is unable to make on its own. The counterparts to the essential nutrients are the accessory nutrients also called nonessential nutrients, or co-factors. ALL are critical to good health. […]