Nutrition Handbook: Part 6 - The Science of Studying Nutrients

Nutrients are an essential integral part of nutrition found in food. Essential nutrients include protein (amino acids), certain lipids (cholesterol), essential fatty acids (EFA's), vitamins, and minerals.

Nutrients work for health by supporting, maintaining, and promoting the functioning of the body and any of the various systems, organs, glands, and tissues.

Many nutrients have many different important functions, are a part of healing, growth, and development which are studied and researched in biochemistry.

The greater density of nutrients in the diet will support a healthy weight and promote healthy performance; not having enough of any essential nutrient will cause poor performance of any organ, gland and tissue.

Nutrient science is the theoretical study and scientific examination of why nutrients and other constituents are essential to the health of the body, emotions, and mind through biochemistry.

Biochemistry research of nutrients is done by identifying the molecular structures of nutrients and determining the functions of where any nutrient is concentrated and utilized in systems, organs, glands, and tissues of the body.

Nutrient science uses theoretical research combined with empirical observational analysis of dietary supplementation to show how nutrients work in humans and animals by discovering and confirming any role of a nutrient in supporting, maintaining and promoting health and well-being.

Not enough of a nutrient is associated with the poor performance of any system, organ, gland and tissue, therefore it is vitally important to increase nutrient density by eating complete balanced meals along with dietary supplements to achieve healthy performance.