Nutritional & Vitamin Supplementation (Patient Counselling Guide)

Nutrition is defined as the intake of food in relation to the body's dietary needs. Good nutrition and adequate food intake are essential to keep an individual alive and in good health. Nutrients are chemical substances found in food that are needed for life. These may be divided into 2 groups, depending on the quantity of the nutrient required by the body ie, macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients supply calories and energy, must be consumed in large quantities to enable an individual to maintain bodily functions and perform daily activities, and include proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. On the other hand, micronutrients are needed for the production of substances in the body needed for proper growth and development eg, enzymes and hormones, require only small quantities, and include vitamins and minerals. In some cases, people may not be able to consume sufficient quantities of nutrients which result in nutritional deficiencies. Some reasons for these deficiencies include maldigestion or malabsorption, increased nutritional demands, and metabolic disorders.

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