Human Nutrition (NUTR2001) - Macronutrients and Health Report

This report, prepared for NUTR2001, explores the critical role of macronutrients – proteins, carbohydrates, and fats – in human health and metabolism. It delves into their biological functions, including how proteins support tissue repair and immune responses, carbohydrates provide energy, and fats store energy and protect organs. The report outlines recommended dietary intakes, examines factors contributing to both excess and deficiency of these macronutrients, and discusses the associated signs and symptoms. The content includes a review of relevant literature, providing a comprehensive overview of macronutrients and their impact on overall well-being. This assignment is a valuable resource for students studying human nutrition, offering insights into the importance of a balanced diet and the consequences of macronutrient imbalances.

Introduction
Nutrients are substance that is needed for growth, meeting energy requirements and
fulfilling other body functions. Macronutrients are form of those nutrients that are required in large
amounts and that help an individual to carryout daily activities (Solon-Biet et al., 2015). The main
purpose of this report is to review the role of macronutrients in health and the paper will mainly
evaluate biological functions of categories of macronutrients like protein, carbohydrates and lipid.
The report will also discuss about recommended dietary intake and analyse the factors that lead to a
state of excess and deficiency of macronutrients. The signs and symptoms in an individual leading to
a state of excess will be discussed too.
Biological functions
Proteins
Proteins are those food items that should consist of 10-35% of diet and consumption of protein is
considered essential because human body cannot produce it naturally. As it plays a crucial role in
body building and repairing body tissues, it is necessary to obtain proteins from diet. Protein is a
food item that plays a role in transmitting message from cell to cell and promoting immune response
(Berdanier & Berdanier, 2015). There are many different types of proteins in out body that supports
in growth and other daily functions. This includes enzymes like pepsin that facilitates biochemical
reactions in the body. The antibodies are also protein that is produced by the immune system to
fight against infections. Certain proteins like collagens and elastin provide support to the body.
Carbohydrates
This is the nutrient that is the most important energy source and it consists of chain of small and
simple sugars that metabolise and enter the body in the form of glucose. It is the main source of
energy for brain, heart and central nervous system and it found in all major food items like
vegetables, fruits, beans and nuts. Glucose and galactose are some examples of carbohydrates and
they exist in many forms. It is crucial for a balanced diet and they are the main energy providing
source of foods. Two major forms of carbohydrates include monosaccharide and polysaccharide.
Monosaccharide are absorbed in the small intestine and transported to the place of use. In addition,
disaccharides are broken down by digestive enzymes. The constituent sugars then obtained is
absorbed into the blood stream. Human most common use glucose as a source of carbohydrate and
it is a polysaccharide which is stored in the liver and muscles. The flow of glucose is regulated by the
work of hormones (Rao, 2019).
Fats
Fats includes triglycerides, cholesterol and other essential fatty acids that is necessary for healthy
body and the main trick is to ensure that bad fats are avoided and good fats like omega 3 and omega
6 is consumed. The function of fat is to store energy and protect vital organs of the body. They also
initiate many chemical reactions needed for growth, immunity, reproduction and metabolism
(Berdanier & Berdanier, 2015).
Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI)
Factors-contributing-to-states-of-excess

Factors-contributing-to-states-of-insufficiency-and-
deficiency
Sign and Symptoms

References
Berdanier, C. D., & Berdanier, L. A. (2015). Advanced nutrition: macronutrients, micronutrients, and
metabolism. CRC Press.
Rao, V. R. (2019). Conformation of carbohydrates. CRC Press.
Solon-Biet, S. M., Mitchell, S. J., de Cabo, R., Raubenheimer, D., Le Couteur, D. G., & Simpson, S. J.
(2015). Macronutrients and caloric intake in health and longevity. The Journal of
endocrinology, 226(1), R17.
Appendix