Factors that Affect the Nutritional Requirements of an Individual.


The factors that affect the nutritional requirements of an individual are the quality and quantity of the food they eat, the efficiency of their digestive system in absorbing and utilizing eaten food and biochemical availability.

The quality of food that we eat can vary depending on the soil and growing conditions of that food. Soil that has been overworked and chemicals added and also drugs and antibiotics that have been given to livestock and crops to aid growth are all factors that affect nutrition in our food and can affect our own body's biochemistry. Nutritional quality of our food can be affected by the manufacturing process, storage and preparation of our food.

The quantity of food that we eat also influences our nutritional status. In developing countries malnutrition is a huge problem but in developed countries under nutrition can occur due to dependency on heavy refined processed foods.

The efficiency of our digestive system affects our nutritional status. Bad condition of our intestines will reduce the absorption of digested foods into our blood stream. Metabolic faults, sensitivity to certain food and the presence of substances like tea and coffee can affect the absorption rate of certain nutrients.

Biochemical availability is the optimum range of intake of a person essential nutritional requirement. This nutritional requirement is influenced by age, growth, sex, pregnancy and breastfeeding, illness, psychological and emotional stress, activity level and other factors like smoking and drinking.

Nutritional requirements change as a person gets older, because the elderly use a lot of medication their absorption, excretion and utilization of nutrients can be affected. Growing children have different nutritional needs to that of adults. For example, a growing infant requires a higher intake of essential fatty acids than that of an adult. In the same way there are different nutrition requirements for young and old there are also very different requirements between the sexes. For example, a woman's nutritional requirements can vary throughout her menstrual cycle, also a woman who is pregnant or breastfeeding has different nutritional requirement to that of one who is not. Nutritional requirement vary depending on whether someone is healthy or ill. As diseases are unique so are the nutritional requirements needed whilst that person is ill. The same applies to psychological and emotional stress. When people are affected by stress their appetite is affected, this results in less intake of food which in turn results in less nutrients being absorbed.

A person activity level will affect their nutritional requirement. An athlete will need a different nutritional requirement to that of an office worker. Exercise improves metabolic efficiency in some people and increases nutrient requirement.

People may find that certain nutritional requirements are increase within their family. Genetics can play a part in an extra need for certain nutrients. Other factors such as using recreational drugs, smoking and drinking can affect nutrient requirements. Even beverages like Tea and Coffee can affect nutrient requirements; they both inhibit the absorption of Iron and Zinc.

Stewart Hare C.H.Ed Dip NutTh

Bespoke consultations for a healthier natural life

website: http://www.newbeingnutrition.com Get a free initial nutritional therapy diagnosis now...







Related News



Parents urged to limit kids’ screen time, fast food intake - Gulf Times

Gulf Times

Parents urged to limit kids’ screen time, fast food intake
Gulf Times, Qatar -1 hour ago
Referring to dietary management of obesity, Edwards stated that nutrition therapy is an essential component of a comprehensive weight management programme ...

Recognise the power of good nutrition - Indian Express

Recognise the power of good nutrition
Indian Express, India -Oct 10, 2008
If I were to search for a flipside in my otherwise highly fulfilling vocation as a nutritional consultant it would have to be the persistent — and at times ...

DOH Sponsors A Statewide Physical Activity And Nutrition Forum, Hawaii - Medical News Today (press release)

DOH Sponsors A Statewide Physical Activity And Nutrition Forum, Hawaii
Medical News Today (press release), UK -16 hours ago
The forum was a follow-up to last year's Physical Activity and Nutrition (PAN) Summit, where professionals and community members gathered to learn about ...

A "Superfood" to Stand in the Nutrition Gap - PR.com (press release)

A "Superfood" to Stand in the Nutrition Gap
PR.com (press release), NY -16 hours ago
Busy schedules call for more direct forms of nutrition, and the answer now comes in a liquid form. “Superfoods” are making their way into the American diet, ...

Nutritional Program - Hartford Courant

Nutritional Program
Hartford Courant, United States -16 hours ago
•Kendall Reyes' nutrition is designed and monitored by Nancy R. Rodriguez, a professor of nutritional sciences and the director of the UConn sports ...

Kids' cereals fail nutrition test - TVNZ

Kids' cereals fail nutrition test
TVNZ, New Zealand -18 hours ago
"Some of them are very high in sodium, salt, very high in sugar and really have pretty much no nutritional value at all," says Sue Chetwin from Consumer New ...

Kids' Cereals Packing Some Nutrition Punch - CBS News

Kids' Cereals Packing Some Nutrition Punch
CBS News, NY -Oct 11, 2008
Have you consumed myths about diet and nutrition? Take these quizzes to find out. (CBS) You probably struggle to find your kids just the right cereal for ...

Fitness and Nutrition Experts Don't Live Longer Than Anyone Else ... - Unconfirmed Sources (satire)

Fitness and Nutrition Experts Don't Live Longer Than Anyone Else ...
Unconfirmed Sources (satire) -Oct 11, 2008
by NickFun A study of 358 dead fitness and nutrition experts reveal that they did not live any longer than people who knew nothing about fitness and ...


Diet and Nutrition Expert Joins BizyMoms Expert Corner - PR-Inside.com (Pressemitteilung)

Diet and Nutrition Expert Joins BizyMoms Expert Corner
PR-Inside.com (Pressemitteilung), Austria -9 hours ago
Bizymoms is pleased to introduce Marjorie Geiser: a Life Coach, Dietician and Personal Trainer, as their Expert when it comes to Diet and Nutrition. ...

Senior nutrition menu - Rome Sentinel

Senior nutrition menu
Rome Sentinel, NY -Oct 11, 2008
The nutrition program for persons age 60 and over is funded by the county Office for the Aging, state and federal grants, and contributions from ...