Final answer:
Essential nutrients, which individuals must obtain from their diet, include macronutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids, as well as micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals. These nutrients are vital for energy, building materials, and regulating body processes. The essential minerals include calcium, sodium, and potassium, among others.
Step-by-step explanation:
Essential Nutrients for Human Nutrition
The “essential nutrients” for proper human nutrition include a range of substances that the body requires but cannot synthesize in sufficient amounts. These nutrients must be obtained from the diet. They include macronutrients like carbohydrates, proteins (including all of the amino acids), and lipids (including essential fatty acids), as well as micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals. Among the essential minerals are calcium, sodium, and potassium. In contrast, cellulose and glucose are not categorized as essential nutrients, as cellulose is not digestible and glucose can be synthesized by the body. Likewise, while enzymes from plants or animals can be beneficial, they are not classified as essential nutrients. Certain vitamins, like vitamin D and vitamin K, are essential for functions such as maintaining a stable nervous system and assisting with blood clotting.
It is important to consume a balanced diet that provides all the essential nutrients. Major minerals are required in larger quantities than trace minerals but both are vital for overall health. Macronutrients are needed in larger amounts compared to micronutrients, which are still essential but needed in smaller quantities.