The most abundant elements in the human body are: Oxygen (65%), Carbon (18%), Hydrogen (10%), Nitrogen (3%), Calcium (1.5%), Phosphorus (1%)
These elements are found in all parts of the body, including the cells, tissues, and organs. They work together to keep the body functioning properly.
There are four main components of the human body: water, protein, fat, and minerals. The human body is about 60% water. Water is important for many different processes in the body, including regulating temperature, flushing out waste products, and lubricating joints. Protein makes up about 20% of the body, and it’s found in every cell. It’s essential for building and repairing tissues, and for making enzymes, hormones, and other important molecules. Fat is another essential component of the body, making up about 15%. It’s used for energy storage and as insulation to keep the body warm. The human body contains about 4% minerals by weight. The five most abundant minerals in the body are: Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Potassium and Sodium.
Essential substances are those that the body cannot produce on its own and must be obtained from food. These substances include water, vitamins, minerals, and certain amino acids.
Water: Water is essential for life. It makes up about 60% of the body’s weight and is involved in a variety of bodily functions, including transporting nutrients and oxygen to cells, removing waste products, and regulating body temperature.
Vitamins: Vitamins are organic substances that are essential for normal growth, development, and metabolism. There are 13 essential vitamins, which are divided into two groups: fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) and water-soluble vitamins (C and the B vitamins).
* Water-soluble Vitamins are not stored in the body and are instead eliminated through urine.
Minerals: Minerals are inorganic substances that are essential for normal growth, development, and metabolism. There are 16 essential minerals, which are divided into two groups: major minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride, and sulfur) and trace minerals (iron, zinc, copper, manganese, iodine, selenium, fluoride, and molybdenum).
Amino acids: Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. There are 20 amino acids, of which 9 are essential, meaning that the body cannot produce them on its own and must obtain them from food. These essential amino acids are: Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Tryptophan, Valine.
The best way to obtain all of the essential substances is to eat a balanced diet that includes a variety of foods from all food groups.
Here are some examples of foods that are good sources of essential substances:
Water: Water is essential for life, so it’s important to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. Water can be found in many foods, including fruits and vegetables.
Vitamins: Fruits and vegetables are good sources of vitamins, including vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin K. Other good sources of vitamins include dairy products, eggs, and meat.
Minerals: Minerals are found in many foods, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Some good sources of minerals include dairy products, leafy green vegetables, and nuts.
Amino acids: Protein-rich foods, such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, beans, and lentils, are good sources of amino acids.
It’s also important to note that some foods contain substances that can interfere with the absorption of essential substances. For example, phytates, which are found in some grains and legumes, can interfere with the absorption of iron and zinc. So it’s important to eat a variety of foods from all food groups to ensure that you’re getting all of the essential substances that your body needs.
Here are some additional tips for getting enough essential substances from your diet:
Eat a variety of foods from all food groups.
Choose whole, unprocessed foods whenever possible.
Cook with healthy fats, such as olive oil or avocado oil.
Limit your intake of processed foods, sugary drinks, and unhealthy fats.
Get regular exercise.
Most people can’t follow these recommendations, a busy lifestyle and eating habits may interfere with these recommendations. When someone does not obtain a good supply of essential nutrients, it can lead to a variety of health problems.
If you are not able to get the nutrients you need from food, you may want to consider taking supplements. However, it is important to talk to your doctor before taking any supplements, as too much of some nutrients can be harmful.