Morris Alyssa L., Mohiuddin Shamim S.
Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam
Nutrients are chemical substances required by the body to sustain basic functions and are optimally obtained by eating a balanced diet. There are six major classes of nutrients essential for human health: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and water. Carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins are considered macronutrients and serve as a source of energy. Water is required in large amounts but does not yield energy. Vitamins and minerals are considered micronutrients and play essential roles in metabolism. Vitamins are organic micronutrients classified as either water-soluble or fat-soluble. The essential water-soluble vitamins include vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12, and C. The essential fat-soluble vitamins include vitamins A, E, D, and K. Minerals are inorganic micronutrients. Minerals can classify as macrominerals or microminerals. Macrominerals are required in amounts greater than 100 mg per day and include calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and chloride. Sodium, potassium, and chloride are also electrolytes. Microminerals are those nutrients required in amounts less than 100 mg per day and include iron, copper, zinc, selenium, and iodine. This article will review the following biochemical aspects of the essential nutrients: fundamentals, cellular, molecular, function, testing, and clinical significance.
营养物质是身体维持基本功能所需的化学物质，通过均衡饮食可最佳地获取这些营养物质。对人体健康至关重要的营养物质有六大类：碳水化合物、脂质、蛋白质、维生素、矿物质和水。碳水化合物、脂质和蛋白质被视为宏量营养素，是能量的来源。水需求量大，但不产生能量。维生素和矿物质被视为微量营养素，在新陈代谢中起重要作用。维生素是有机微量营养素，分为水溶性或脂溶性。必需的水溶性维生素包括维生素B1、B2、B3、B5、B6、B7、B9、B12和C。必需的脂溶性维生素包括维生素A、E、D和K。矿物质是无机微量营养素。矿物质可分为常量矿物质或微量矿物质。常量矿物质每天需求量超过100毫克，包括钙、磷、镁、钠、钾和氯。钠、钾和氯也是电解质。微量矿物质是指每天需求量少于100毫克的营养素，包括铁、铜、锌、硒和碘。本文将综述必需营养素的以下生物化学方面：基本原理、细胞、分子、功能、检测及临床意义。
