NUTRITION - 4
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Accidents and Illness: such as Burns lead to a loss of Protein and essential Trace Nutrients such as Minerals and Vitamins.
Aged: usually involve a low intake of Minerals and Vitamins especially Calcium, Iron and Zinc along with Folic Acid and Vitamin C with the Fibre intake also low and Riboflavin - B2 and Pyridoxine - B6. Other deficiencies can be an impaired sense of Taste and Smell, reduced secretion of Digestive Enzymes, Chronic Disease and Physical impairment.
Air Pollution: increases the need for Vitamin E.
Alcohol: damages the Liver and Pancreas, the Lining of the Intestinal Tract and absorption of Nutrients and increases the Body's need for the Vitamin B Group.
Antibiotics: kill off friendly Bacteria in the Gut that usually produce B Group Vitamins to be absorbed through the Intestinal Walls resulting in Nervous Conditions and B Group Vitamins should be added to the diet if a broad spectrum of Antibiotics is used over a long period.
Boiling: Vegetables leaches the Water Soluble Vitamins B Group and Vitamin C as well as many Minerals. Light Steaming is the best.
Broken Bones: require Calcium and Vitamin C.
Convienience Foods: or highly refined Carbohydrates such as Sugar, White Flour and White Rice places demand on the B Group of Vitamins to process these Carbohydrates leading to Irritability, Lethargy and Sleep Disorders.
Crop Losses: Some Soils are deficient in Trace Elements as intensive farming can overwork and deplete the soil unless replaced regularly.
Fad Diets: miss out on whole groups of foods and can be lacking in Vitamins such as Vitamin A, D and E.
Food Allergies: omitting whole food groups from the diet such as Gluten and Lactose can create a loss of Nutrients such as Calcium, Riboflavin and Thiamine.
Freezing: Vitamin E content can be reduced once defrosted.
Heat and Air: Foods containing Vitamin E can turn rancid especially those highly processed such as Bread and Oils this increases storage life but lowers Nutrient levels. Vitamin E is important, as it is an Anti - Oxidant that inhibits Oxidizing damage to all the Tissues.
Hot Liquids and Spices: creates Inflammation of the Digestive Linings.
Individuals: Such as for Athletes and manual labourers also need to be taken into account especially as to Body Weight and Physical Type and may require extra demand for B Group Vitamins, Vitamin C and Iron.
Infection: requires Zinc, Magnesium and Vitamins B5, B6.
Laxatives: result in poor absorption of Vitamins and Minerals by increasing the transit time and can also cause a loss of Fat Soluble Vitamins A, E and K and a loss of Magnesium, Potassium and Sodium.
Light Eaters: can create a lack of Calcium, Iron and Thiamine.
Microwaves: Irradiation can destroy Vitamin B6.
Oral Contraceptives: can decrease absorption of Folic Acid and increase the need for Vitamin B6 and Vitamin C, Riboflavin and Zinc.
Overcooking: or re - heating can Oxidize and destroy Vitamins such as the B Group, Vitamin C and Vitamin E.
PMT: requires increased B6.
Poor Digestion: not chewing long enough or eating too quickly.
Pregnancy: creates a higher demand for Nutrition to ensure healthy growth of the Baby and mother especially B1, B2, B3, B6 Folic Acid and B12, Vitamins A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E and Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus and Zinc.
Preserving: Vitamins B and Vitamin C can be lost.
Vegetarian Diets: that exclude Meat altogether must be skillfully planned to avoid Vitamin B12 deficiency that may lead onto Anemia.
Smoking: is an irritant to the Digestive Tract and increases the requirement for Vitamin C by at least 30% compared to a non - smoker and causes Heart Disease.
Stress: of all kinds require a supply of Vitamins B2, B5, B6 and Vitamin C.
Sunlight: Invalids, Shift - workers and others who may have minimal exposure to the Sunlight can suffer from Vitamin D deficiency (400 IU a day required) for the Metabolism of Calcium, which can lead to Osteoporosis - Bone Thinning and Rickets. Ultraviolet Light stimulates Vitamin D in the Skin and can be blocked by clothing, clouds, curtains, fog, opaque glass and smoke.
Surgery: Increases the need for Zinc, Vitamin E and other Nutrients to repair the Cells.
Teenage: due to Growth Spurts, especially in Girls requires higher Nutrition for Biochemical, Emotional and Physical demands.