Proteins
Dietary proteins are digested to amino acids (see Section 2.6), which cells use to synthesize hundreds of cellular proteins. Of the 20 different amino acids, 8 are essential amino acids that must be present in the diet because the body cannot make them, and 2 others are ones the body makes insufficiently. Eggs, milk products, meat, poultry, and most other foods derived from animals contain all 8 essential amino acids and are “complete,” or “high-quality,” protein sources. Legumes (beans and peas) (Fig. 9.13), other types of vegetables, seeds and nuts, and grains also supply us with amino acids. However, each of these alone is an incomplete protein source, because each is deficient in at least 1 of the essential amino acids. Absence of 1 essential amino acid prevents use of the other 19 amino acids. Therefore, vegetarians are counseled to combine two or more incomplete types of plant products to acquire all the essential amino acids. Tofu, soy milk, and other foods made from processed soybeans are complete protein sources. A balanced vegetarian diet is possible with a little knowledge and planning (see the Health Feature "Protein and Vegetarians").
Figure 9.13 Foods rich in proteins and complex carbohydrates. Beans are a good source of complex carbohydrates and protein. But beans don’t supply all the essential amino acids. To ensure a complete source of protein in the diet, beans should be eaten in combination with a grain, such as rice.
©Birgit Reitz-Hofmann/Getty Images
BIOLOGY TODAY Health
Protein and Vegetarians
There are approximately 22.8 million vegetarians in the United States. Although definitions vary, most abstain from eating red meat, poultry, and fish. About a third of vegetarians are vegans, who avoid all animal products, while less stringent vegetarians may include eggs and/or dairy products as a part of their regular diet. Although vegetarianism is an important part of certain Eastern religions, most American vegetarians cite ethical or health reasons. Ethical concerns may include the treatment of animals raised as food, and/or the effects of animal agriculture on the environment. On the health side, most nutritional research seems to support the benefits of a low-fat, well-balanced vegetarian diet in reducing the incidence of cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, and certain cancers, especially colon and prostate cancer.
Certain health risks are associated with vegetarian diets. Highly restricted vegetarian diets are probably not appropriate for pregnant or lactating women, or for very young children. Vegans, especially, have to be careful to obtain enough iron, vitamin D, vitamin B12, and certain fatty acids. However, most American vegetarians would likely agree that the most common question they are asked about their dietary habits is, “Where do you get your protein?” Many people believe that humans require meat in their diet in order to obtain sufficient protein. Adding to the confusion, in 1971, Frances Moore Lappé published Diet for a Small Planet, which advocated vegetarianism as a more ecologically sustainable diet. That book also introduced the concept of protein complementation, the idea that foods with insufficient levels of one or more essential amino acids needed to be ingested at the same time as foods higher in those amino acids. This idea has influenced American nutritionists for several decades, but in a later edition of her famous book, Lappé noted that with the exception of a few extreme diets, “if people are getting enough calories, they are virtually certain of getting enough protein.”
A position paper published in 2003 by the American Dietetic Association and Dietitians of Canada echoed these ideas, stating that “plant protein can meet requirements when a variety of plant foods is consumed and energy needs are met,” as well as “complementary proteins do not need to be consumed at the same meal.” Because proteins in plant food such as cereals may be harder to digest than animal proteins, vegetarians may need to include a higher percentage of protein in their diet. Beans, nuts, and legumes are particularly good protein sources, and according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, soybeans (Fig. 9C) contain complete protein, meaning that like animal protein, soy protein contains sufficient amounts of all essential amino acids for human nutrition. Soy may have other benefits. In October 1999, the FDA gave food manufacturers permission to put labels on products high in soy protein indicating that they may help lower heart disease risk.
Figure 9C Protein sources. For most adults, protein needs can be met by eating vegetables, such as soybeans, that contain high-quality proteins.
©McGraw-Hill Education/Andrew Resek, photographer
Questions to Consider
What are some of the challenges an individual faces when moving toward a meat-free diet?
In general, proteins are not stored by the body in the way that carbohydrates or fats can be stored. Considering this idea, why do you think the idea of complementary proteins became so well established?
A daily supply of essential amino acids is needed because they are not stored in the body, unlike the other amino acids, which can be stored as proteins and metabolized for cells’ needs. However, it does not take very much protein to meet the daily requirement. Two servings of meat a day (one serving is equal in size to a deck of cards) is usually plenty.
Can Proteins Be Harmful?
The liver removes the nitrogen-containing compound from an amino acid. By converting this portion to urea, the liver enables potentially toxic nitrogen to be removed from our bodies. However, large amounts of water are needed to properly excrete urea. Therefore, dehydration may occur if protein consumption is excessive. High-protein diets, especially those rich in animal proteins, can also increase calcium loss in urine. Excretion of calcium may lead to kidney stones and bone loss.
Certain types of meat, especially red meat, are known to be high in saturated fats; other sources of protein, such as chicken, fish, and eggs, are more likely to be low in saturated fats. As you recall from Section 5.7, excessive dietary saturated fat is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Sufficient proteins are needed to supply the essential amino acids. Meat and dairy sources of protein may supply unwanted saturated fat, but vegetable sources do not.
Lipids
Fats, oils, and cholesterol are lipids (see Section 2.5). Saturated fats, which are solids at room temperature, usually have an animal origin. Two well-known exceptions are palm oil and coconut oil, which contain mostly saturated fats and come from the plants mentioned (Fig. 9.14). Butter and fats associated with meats (like the fat on steak and bacon) contain saturated fats.
Figure 9.14 Saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. This graph shows the percentages of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in select fats and oils.
Oils contain unsaturated fatty acids, which do not promote cardiovascular disease. Corn oil and safflower oil are high in polyunsaturated fatty acids. Polyunsaturated oils are the only type of fat that contains linoleic acid and linolenic acid, two fatty acids the body cannot make. These fatty acids must be supplied by diet, so they are called essential fatty acids.
Olive oil and canola oil contain a larger percentage of monounsaturated fatty acids than other types of cooking oils. Omega-3 fatty acids—with a double bond in the third position—are believed to preserve brain function and protect against heart disease. Flaxseed contains abundant omega-3 fatty acids. Cold-water fish like salmon, sardines, and trout are also an excellent source.Page 186
Can Lipids Be Harmful?
The risk for cardiovascular disease is increased by a diet high in saturated fats and cholesterol. Saturated fats contribute to the formation of lesions associated with atherosclerosis inside the blood vessels. These lesions, called atherosclerotic plaques, limit the flow of blood through these vessels (see Section 5.7). Cholesterol is carried in the blood by the two transport proteins: high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Cholesterol transported by HDL (the “good” lipoprotein) ends up in the liver, where the cholesterol is metabolized. Cholesterol carried by LDL (the “bad” lipoprotein) ends up being deposited in the tissues. Atherosclerotic plaques form when levels of HDL are low and/or when levels of LDL are high. Recommended levels of HDL and LDL can be reestablished by a diet low in saturated fats and cholesterol.
Trans fatty acids (trans fats) arise when unsaturated fatty acids are hydrogenated to produce a solid fat. The function of the plasma membrane receptors that clear cholesterol from the bloodstream may be reduced by trans fats, resulting in a higher blood cholesterol level. Trans fats are found in commercially packaged goods, such as cookies and crackers. Unfortunately, other snacks, such as microwave popcorn, may be sources as well. Be aware that any packaged goods containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils or shortening contain trans fats. Some margarines used for home cooking or baking incorporate hydrogenated vegetable oil. Commercially fried foods, such as french fries from some fast-food chains, should be strictly limited in a healthy diet. Though tasty, these are often full of trans fats.Page 187
Table 9.5 gives suggestions on how to reduce dietary saturated fat and cholesterol. It is not a good idea to rely on commercially produced low-fat foods. In some products, the fat has been replaced by sugars; in some others, the fat has been replaced by protein.
Table 9.5Reducing Lipids in the Diet
Table Summary: Table lists different ways to reduce saturated fats and trans fats in the diet that span multiple rows.
To Reduce Saturated Fats and Trans Fats in the Diet
Choose poultry, fish, or dry beans and peas as a protein source.
Remove skin from poultry, and trim fat from red meats before cooking; place on a rack, so that fat drains off.
Broil, boil, or bake rather than fry.
Limit your intake of butter, cream, trans fats, shortenings, and tropical oils (coconut and palm oils).
Use herbs and spices to season vegetables instead of butter, margarine, or sauces. Use lemon juice instead of salad dressing.
Drink skim milk instead of whole milk, and use skim milk in cooking and baking.
To Reduce Dietary Cholesterol
Avoid cheese, egg yolks, liver, and certain shellfish (shrimp and lobster). Preferably, eat white fish and poultry.
Substitute egg whites for egg yolks in both cooking and eating.
Include soluble fiber in the diet. Oat bran, oatmeal, beans, corn, and fruits, such as apples, citrus fruits, and cranberries, are high in soluble fiber.
Unsaturated fats such as those in oils do not lead to cardiovascular disease and are preferred. Fats and oils contain many more calories per gram than do carbohydrates and protein.
Minerals
Minerals are divided into major minerals and trace minerals. Major minerals are needed at quantities greater than 100 milligrams (mg) per day. Trace minerals are needed at levels less than 100 mg per day. Table 9.6 lists selected minerals and gives their functions and food sources.
Table 9.6Minerals
Table Summary: Table lists the names of different types of minerals grouped into two categories, on the basis of minimum and maximum quantity, in column 1. The functions and food sources of each type of mineral in both the groups appear in columns 2 and 3. The health concerns related to each mineral are further listed in columns 4 and 5, with deficiency and toxicity as their column headings.
MineralFunctionsFood SourcesHealth Concerns
DeficiencyToxicity
Major (More than 100 mg/Day Needed)
Calcium +(Ca2+)Strong bones and teeth, nerve conduction, muscle contraction, blood clottingDairy products, leafy green vegetablesStunted growth in children, low bone density in adultsKidney stones, interferes with iron and zinc absorption
Phosphorus (PO43−)Bone and soft tissue growth; part of phospholipids, ATP, and nucleic acidsMeat, dairy products, sunflower seeds, food additivesWeakness, confusion, pain in bones and jointsLow blood and bone calcium levels
Potassium +(K+)Nerve conduction, muscle contractionMany fruits and vegetables, branParalysis, irregular heartbeat, eventual deathVomiting, heart attack, death
Sulfur (S2−)Stabilizes protein shape, neutralizes toxic substancesMeat, dairy products, legumesNot likelyIn animals, depresses growth
Sodium +(Na+)Nerve conduction, pH and water balanceTable saltLethargy, muscle cramps, loss of appetiteEdema, high blood pressure
Chloride (Cl−)Water balanceTable saltNot likelyVomiting, dehydration
Magnesium +(Mg2+)Part of various enzymes for nerve and muscle contraction, protein synthesisWhole grains, leafy green vegetablesMuscle spasm, irregular heartbeat, convulsions, confusion, personality changesDiarrhea
Trace (Less than 100 mg/Day Needed)
Zinc +(Zn2+)Protein synthesis, wound healing, fetal development and growth, immune functionMeats, legumes, whole grainsDelayed wound healing, stunted growth, diarrhea, mental lethargyAnemia, diarrhea, vomiting, renal failure, abnormal cholesterol levels
Iron +(Fe2+)Hemoglobin synthesisWhole grains, meats, prune juiceAnemia, physical and mental sluggishnessIron toxicity disease, organ failure, eventual death
Copper +(Cu2+)Hemoglobin synthesisMeat, nuts, legumesAnemia, stunted growth in childrenDamage to internal organs if not excreted
Iodine (I−)Thyroid hormone synthesisIodized table salt, seafoodThyroid deficiencyDepressed thyroid function, anxiety
Selenium (SeO43−)Part of antioxidant enzymeSeafood, meats, eggsVascular collapse, possible cancer developmentHair and fingernail loss, discolored skin
Manganese +(Mn2+)Part of enzymesNuts, legumes, green vegetablesWeakness and confusionConfusion, coma, death
The major minerals are constituents of cells and body fluids and are structural components of tissues. The trace minerals are often part of larger molecules. For example, iron (Fe2+) is present in hemoglobin, and iodine (I−) is a part of hormones produced by the thyroid gland. Zinc (Zn2+), copper (Cu2+), and manganese (Mn2+) are present in enzymes that catalyze a variety of reactions. As research continues, more and more elements are added to the list of trace minerals considered essential. During the past three decades, for example, very small amounts of selenium, molybdenum, chromium, nickel, vanadium, silicon, and even arsenic have been found to be essential to good health. Table 9.6 also provides signs of deficiency and toxicity for the selected minerals.
Occasionally, individuals do not receive enough iron (especially women), calcium, magnesium, or zinc in their diets. Adult females need more iron in their diet than males (8–18 mg compared with 8–11 mg), because they lose hemoglobin each month during menstruation. Stress can bring on a magnesium deficiency, and due to its high-fiber content, a vegetarian diet may make zinc less available to the body. However, a varied and complete diet usually supplies enough of each type of mineral.
Calcium
Calcium (Ca2+) is a major mineral needed for the construction of bones and teeth. It is also necessary for nerve conduction, muscle contraction, and blood clotting. Many people take calcium supplements to prevent or counteract osteoporosis, a degenerative bone disease that afflicts an estimated one-fourth of older men and one-half of older women in the United States. Osteoporosis develops because bone-eating cells called osteoclasts are more active than bone-forming cells called osteoblasts. The bones become porous, and they break easily because they lack sufficient calcium. Recommended calcium intakes vary by age, but in general 1,000 mg a day is recommended for men and women. After age 50 in women, and 70 in men, this increases to 1,200 mg a day. For many people, calcium supplements are needed to obtain these levels.
Osteoporosis
Small-framed Caucasian women with a family history of osteoporosis are at greatest risk of developing the disease. Smoking and drinking more than nine cups of caffeinated drinks daily may also contribute. Vitamin D is an essential companion to calcium in preventing osteoporosis. Other vitamins may also be helpful; for example, magnesium has been found to suppress the cycle that leads to bone loss. In addition to adequate calcium and vitamin intake, exercise helps prevent osteoporosis. Medications are also available that slow bone loss while increasing skeletal mass.
Sodium
Sodium plays a major role in regulating the body’s water balance, as does chloride (Cl−). Sodium plays an important role in the movement of materials across the plasma membrane (see Section 3.3), as well as the conduction of a nerve impulse (see Section 14.1). The recommended amount of sodium intake per day is 1,500 mg, although the average American takes in more than 3,400 mg every day. This Page 188imbalance has caused concern, because sodium in the form of salt intensifies hypertension (high blood pressure). About one-third of the sodium we consume occurs naturally in foods. Another third is added during commercial processing, and we add the last third either during home cooking or at the table in the form of table salt.
Clearly, it is possible to cut down on the amount of sodium in the diet. Table 9.7 gives recommendations for doing so.
Table 9.7Reducing Dietary Sodium
Table Summary: Table lists the different ways to reduce dietary sodium that span multiple rows.
To Reduce Dietary Sodium
Use spices instead of salt to flavor foods.
Add little or no salt to foods at the table, and add only small amounts of salt when you cook.
Eat unsalted crackers, pretzels, potato chips, nuts, and popcorn.
Avoid hot dogs, ham, bacon, luncheon meats, smoked salmon, sardines, and anchovies.
Avoid processed cheese and canned or dehydrated soups.
Avoid brine-soaked foods, such as pickles and olives.
Read nutrition labels to avoid high-salt products.
SCIENCE IN YOUR LIFE
Where does most of the sodium in the diet come from?
Contrary to popular belief, the majority of the sodium in your diet does not come from the salt you put on your food when you are eating. Instead, most of our sodium (over three-quarters!) comes from processed foods and condiments. Sodium is used in these items both to preserve the food or condiment and to make it taste better. But sometimes the amount of sodium is phenomenal. A single teaspoon of soy sauce contains almost 1,000 mg of sodium, and a half-cup of prepared tomato sauce typically has over 400 mg of sodium. Websites such as nutritiondata.self.com can help you track your daily sodium intake.
Vitamins
Vitamins are organic compounds (other than carbohydrate, fat, and protein) that the body uses for metabolic purposes but is unable to produce in adequate quantity. Many vitamins are portions of coenzymes, enzyme helpers. For example, niacin is part of the coenzyme NAD, and riboflavin is part of another dehydrogenase, FAD (see Section 3.6). Coenzymes are needed in only small amounts, because each can be used over and over. Not all vitamins are coenzymes. Vitamin A, for example, is a precursor for the visual pigment that prevents night blindness. If vitamins are lacking in the diet, various symptoms develop. There are 13 vitamins, divided into those that are fat soluble (Table 9.8) and those that are water soluble (Table 9.9). The differences between fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins have to do with how the compound gets absorbed into the body, how it is transported by the body, its interaction with body tissues, and how it is stored in the cells.
B Vitamins
Table 9.8Fat-Soluble Vitamins
Table Summary: Table lists the names of different types of vitamins in column 1. The functions and food sources of each type of vitamin appear in columns 2 and 3. The health concerns related to each vitamin are further listed in columns 4 and 5, with deficiency and toxicity as their column headings.
VitaminFunctionsFood SourcesHealth Concerns
DeficiencyToxicity
Vitamin AAntioxidant synthesized from beta-carotene; needed for healthy eyes, skin, hair, and mucous membranes and for proper bone growthDeep yellow/orange and leafy, dark green vegetables; fruits; cheese; whole milk; butter; eggsNight blindness, impaired growth of bones and teethHeadache, dizziness, nausea, hair loss, abnormal development of fetus
Vitamin DGroup of steroids needed for development and maintenance of bones and teeth and for absorption of calciumMilk fortified with vitamin D, fish liver oil; also made in the skin when exposed to sunlightRickets, decalcification and weakening of bonesCalcification of soft tissues, diarrhea, possible renal damage
Vitamin EAntioxidant that prevents oxidation of vitamin A and polyunsaturated fatty acidsLeafy green vegetables, fruits, vegetable oils, nuts, whole-grain breads and cerealsUnknownDiarrhea, nausea, headaches, fatigue, muscle weakness
Vitamin KNeeded for synthesis of substances active in clotting of bloodLeafy green vegetables, cabbage, cauliflowerEasy bruising and bleedingCan interfere with anticoagulant medication
Table 9.9Water-Soluble Vitamins
Table Summary: Table lists the names of different types of water-soluble vitamins in column 1. The functions and food sources of each type of water-soluble vitamin appear in columns 2 and 3. The health concerns related to each water-soluble vitamin are further listed in columns 4 and 5, with deficiency and toxicity as their column headings.
VitaminFunctionsFood SourcesHealth Concerns
DeficiencyToxicity
Vitamin CAntioxidant; needed for forming collagen; helps maintain capillaries, bones, and teethCitrus fruits, leafy green vegetables, tomatoes, potatoes, cabbageScurvy, delayed wound healing, infectionsGout, kidney stones, diarrhea, decreased copper
Thiamine (vitamin B1)Part of coenzyme needed for cellular respiration; also promotes activity of the nervous systemWhole-grain cereals, dried beans and peas, sunflower seeds, nutsBeriberi, muscular weakness, enlarged heartCan interfere with absorption of other vitamins
Riboflavin (vitamin B2)Part of coenzymes, such as FAD; aids cellular respiration, including oxidation of protein and fatNuts, dairy products, whole-grain cereals, poultry, leafy green vegetablesDermatitis, blurred vision, growth failureUnknown
Niacin (nicotinic acid)Part of coenzyme NAD; needed for cellular respiration, including oxidation of protein and fatPeanuts, poultry, whole-grain cereals, leafy green vegetables, beansPellagra, diarrhea, mental disordersHigh blood sugar and uric acid, vasodilation, etc.
Folacin (folic acid)Coenzyme needed for production of hemoglobin and formation of DNADark, leafy green vegetables; nuts; beans; whole-grain cerealsMegaloblastic anemia, spina bifidaMay mask B12 deficiency
Vitamin B6Coenzyme needed for synthesis of hormones and hemoglobin; CNS controlWhole-grain cereals, bananas, beans, poultry, nuts, leafy green vegetablesRarely, convulsions, vomiting, seborrhea, muscular weaknessInsomnia, neuropathy
Pantothenic acidPart of coenzyme A needed for oxidation of carbohydrates and fats; aids in the formation of hormones and certain neurotransmittersNuts, beans, dark green vegetables, poultry, fruits, milkRarely, loss of appetite, mental depression, numbnessUnknown
Vitamin B12Complex, cobalt-containing compound; part of the coenzyme needed for synthesis of nucleic acids and myelinDairy products, fish, poultry, eggs, fortified cerealsPernicious anemiaUnknown
BiotinCoenzyme needed for metabolism of amino acids and fatty acidsGenerally in foods, especially eggsSkin rash, nausea, fatigueUnknown
FAD = flavin adenine dinucleotide; NAD = nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide
Page 189
Antioxidants
Over the past several decades, numerous statistical studies have determined that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can protect against cancer. Cellular metabolism generates free radicals, unstable molecules that carry an extra electron. The most common free radicals in cells are superoxide (O2−) and hydroxide (OH−). To stabilize themselves, free radicals donate an electron to DNA, to proteins (including enzymes), or to lipids, which can be found in plasma membranes. Such donations often damage these cellular molecules and thereby may lead to disruptions of cellular functions, including even cancer.
Page 190Vitamins C, E, and A are believed to defend the body against free radicals and are therefore termed antioxidants. These vitamins are especially abundant in fruits and vegetables. Dietary guidelines suggest we increase our consumption of fruits and vegetables each day. To achieve this goal, think in terms of salad greens, raw or cooked vegetables, dried fruit, and fruit juice, in addition to apples and oranges and other fresh fruits.
Dietary supplements may provide a potential safeguard against cancer and cardiovascular disease. Nutritionists do not think people should take supplements instead of improving their intake of fruits and vegetables. There are many beneficial compounds in these foods that cannot be obtained from a vitamin pill. These compounds enhance one another’s absorption or action and perform independent biological functions.
Vitamin D
Skin cells contain a precursor cholesterol molecule converted to vitamin D after UV exposure. Vitamin D leaves the skin and is modified first in the kidneys and then in the liver until finally it becomes calcitriol. Calcitriol promotes the absorption of calcium by the intestines. When taking a calcium supplement, it is a good idea to get one with added vitamin D. The lack of vitamin D leads to rickets in children. Rickets, characterized by bowing of the legs, is caused by defective mineralization of the skeleton. Most milk is fortified with vitamin D, which helps prevent the occurrence of rickets.
How to Plan Nutritious Meals
Many serious disorders in Americans are linked to a diet that results in excess body fat. Whereas genetics is a factor in being overweight, a person cannot become fat without taking in more food energy (calories) than is needed. People need calories (energy) for their basal metabolism. Basal metabolism is the number of calories a person’s body burns at rest to maintain normal body functions. A person also needs calories for exercise. The less exercise, the fewer calories needed beyond the basal metabolic rate. So the first step in planning a diet is to limit the number of calories to an amount the person will use each day. Let’s say you do all the necessary calculations (beyond the scope of this book). You discover that, as a woman, the maximum number of calories you can take in each day is 2,000. If you’re a man, you can afford 2,500 calories without gaining weight.
The new guidelines developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are called MyPlate (Fig. 9.15). This graphical representation replaced the older pyramids because most people found the plate graphic easier to interpret. It can be used to help you decide how those calories should be distributed among the foods to eat. MyPlate emphasizes the proportions of each food group that should be consumed daily.
Figure 9.15 The MyPlate dietary recommendations. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) developed this visual representation of a food plate as a guide to better health. The size differences on the plate for each food group suggest what portion of your meal should consist of each category. The five different colors illustrate that each food category, in correct proportions, is needed each day for good health. See ChooseMyPlate.gov.
Source: USDA, ChooseMyPlate.gov website
In 2015, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture released a new set of dietary guidelines that focuses more on healthy eating patterns than on strict amounts of nutrients. These guidelines are outlined in the Health feature “New Dietary Guidelines.”
BIOLOGY TODAY Health
New Dietary Guidelines
Dietary guidelines are typically revised by the U.S. government every 5 years to reflect changes in nutrition science. The latest guidelines were released in 2015 by the Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services. The overall purposes of these guidelines were to:
Promote health.
Prevent chronic (long-term) disease.
Assist people in reaching and maintaining a healthy weight.
The new guidelines focus less on prescribing quantitative levels for nutrients, and more on establishing healthy eating patterns. These patterns include the following foods:
A variety of vegetables, including leafy vegetables, beans, red and yellow vegetables, and starches.
Fruits.
Grains. At least half of all grains should be whole grains.
Fat-free or low-fat dairy products (including soy).
Proteins in the form of seafood, lean meats, poultry, eggs, legumes, nuts, and soy products.
Oils.
To establish these healthy eating patterns, specific recommendations were made to limit certain nutrients that are recognized as raising health concerns:
Consume less than 10 percent of calories per day from added sugar.
Consume less than 10 percent of calories per day from saturated fats.
Consume less than 2,300 milligrams (mg) per day of sodium.
Alcohol should be consumed only in moderation. A maximum of one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men (and only by adults of legal drinking age).
For more information on these guidelines, including the science of how they were determined, visit health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/.
Questions to Consider
Why do you think quantitative values were removed for many of the nutrients?
Reflect on your diet over the past 24 hours. How does your diet relate to these general guidelines?
Eat a variety of foods. Foods from all food groups should be included in the diet.
Eat more of these foods: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk products. Choose dark green vegetables, orange vegetables, and leafy vegetables. Dry beans and peas are good sources of fiber and a great protein source as well. Limit potatoes and corn. When eating grains, choose whole grains, such as brown rice, oatmeal, and Page 191whole-wheat bread. Choose fruit as a snack or a topping for foods, instead of sugar.
Choose lean meats, such as poultry, and fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, trout, and herring, in moderate-sized portions. Include oils rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids in the diet.
Eat less of foods high in saturated or trans fats, added sugars, cholesterol, salt, and alcohol.
Be physically active every day. If you need to lose weight, decrease your calorie intake slowly while maintaining an adequate nutrient intake and increasing your physical activity.
Eating Disorders
People with eating disorders are dissatisfied with their body image. Social, cultural, emotional, and biological factors all contribute to the development of an eating disorder. Serious conditions such as obesity, anorexia nervosa, and bulimia nervosa can lead to malnutrition, disability, and death. Regardless of the eating disorder, early recognition and treatment are crucial.
Anorexia nervosa is a severe psychological disorder characterized by an irrational fear of getting fat. Victims refuse to eat enough food to maintain a healthy body weight (Fig. 9.16a). A self-imposed starvation diet is often accompanied by occasional binge eating, followed by purging and extreme physical activity to avoid weight gain. Binges usually include large amounts of high-calorie foods, and purging episodes involve self-induced vomiting and laxative abuse. About 90% of people suffering from anorexia nervosa are young women; an estimated 1 in 200 teenage girls is affected.
Figure 9.16 The characteristics of different eating disorders. a. People with anorexia nervosa have a mistaken body image and think they are fat, even though they are thin. b. Those with bulimia nervosa overeat and then purge their bodies of the food they have eaten. c. People with muscle dysmorphia think their muscles are underdeveloped. They spend hours at the gym and are preoccupied with diet as a way to gain muscle mass.
(a): ©Ted Foxx/Alamy; (b): ©Donna Day/The Image Bank/Getty Images; (c): ©Kevin Dodge/Corbis/Getty Images Plus
Page 192A person with bulimia nervosa binge eats and then purges to avoid gaining weight (Fig. 9.16b). The cyclical binge-purge behavior can occur several times a day. People with bulimia nervosa can be difficult to identify, because their body weights are often normal and they tend to conceal their bingeing and purging practices. Women are more likely than men to develop bulimia; an estimated 4% of young women suffer from this condition.
Other abnormal eating practices include binge-eating disorder and muscle dysmorphia. Many obese people suffer from binge-eating disorder, a condition characterized by episodes of overeating without purging. Stress, anxiety, anger, and depression can trigger food binges. A person suffering from muscle dysmorphia (Fig. 9.16c) thinks his or her body is underdeveloped. Bodybuilding activities and a preoccupation with diet and body form accompany this condition. The person may spend hours in the gym every day, working out on muscle-strengthening equipment. Unlike anorexia nervosa and bulimia, muscle dysmorphia affects more men than women.
CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 9.6
Briefly describe and give an example of each class of nutrients.
Answer
Carbohydrates are simple or complex sugar units used as energy sources. They include products made from refined grains, beans, peas, nuts, fruits, and whole-grain products. Proteins are long chains of amino acids the body breaks down to make other proteins. They are found in meat, eggs, and milk. Lipids are cholesterol or fats and oils that contain either saturated or unsaturated fatty acid chains used for energy storage. Olive oil contains high levels of monounsaturated fat. Minerals are elements needed either in larger quantities (calcium, phosphorus) or trace quantities (zinc, iron). Vitamins are other organic compounds the body cannot synthesize, like vitamins A, D, E, and K.
Discuss why carbohydrates and fats might be the cause of the obesity epidemic today.
Answer
Carbohydrates and fats store lots of energy, they are consumed in excess, and with a sedentary lifestyle are not burned off with exercise but instead stored as fat.
Explain the difference between a vitamin and mineral.
Answer
Vitamins are organic molecules that cannot be synthesized by the body, whereas minerals are chemical elements needed in various amounts by the body.
CONNECTING THE CONCEPTS
For more information on how the body utilizes nutrients, refer to the following discussions:
Section 12.1 explains how vitamin D acts as a hormone that influences bone growth.
Section 15.4 examines the role of vitamin A in vision.
Section 20.2 examines how a diet with adequate levels of vitamins A and C may help prevent cancer.
CONCLUSION
Celiac disease is a serious condition that affects roughly 1 out of every 100 individuals. Unlike gluten sensitivity, which has many of the same symptoms, celiac disease can cause severe damage to the villi and microvilli lining of the small intestine.
As we have seen in this chapter, the small intestine plays a central role in the processing of nutrients. Any condition that damages the villi and microvilli reduces the effectiveness of the small intestine and can result in weight loss, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and even cancer of the intestines. Currently, the only treatment for celiac disease is a lifelong diet that strictly avoids exposure to the gluten protein.d