NUTRITION DETERIORATION
INTRODUCTION The human diet must provide enough calories to meet daily energy needs, together with carbohydrates, essential amino acids, essential fats, minerals and vitamins for proper metabolism. During short-term emergencies you should be focused on food as a fuel. Don’t worry about nutrition. For emergencies longer than 3 weeks, complete nutrition plays a more important role.
CALORIES Calories are the measurement of energy stored in foods. The human body uses food as its fuel. Active adult females consume 2,400 calories per day, while inactive females consume approximately 1,800 calories per day. Active males can consume as many as 3,000 calories per day and 2,400 if inactive. Older adults and teenagers will consume 200-300 fewer calories than younger adults. Most average this requirement to be 2,000 calories per person, per day as minimum. In the absence of food, the body uses its reserve fuel (glycogen). Glycogen is stored as fat in the body. When fat reserves are low or gone, the body will begin to destroy and consume its own protein (muscle).
ESSENTIAL AmINO ACIDS Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. When plant or animal protein is consumed, it is broken down into amino acids. These can then be used in human metabolism. An absence of one or more essential amino acids over a period of weeks to months can lead to malnourishment symptoms of apathy, diarrhea, inactivity, failure to grow, flaky skin, fatty liver, and edema of the belly and legs. Excess amino acids can also be used as fuel for the body (calories).
ESSENTIAL FATS Three key fatty acids are needed in the diet: linoleic acid, linolenic acid, and arachidonic acid. These are found in grain,
CARBOHYDRATES Carbohydrates are carbon-containing compounds such as sugars and simple starches. These are termed simple
vegetable, or nut oils.
mINERALS
carbohydrates. More complex forms exist and are part of
Only small levels of minerals are needed for proper nutrition.
the structure of grains, beans, and vegetables. Humans can
These minerals are scavenged from many sources and it is rare
consume these carbohydrates and use them as fuel and as
for anyone consuming a regular diet to have a deficiency. In
building blocks for substrates the body needs.
the overall scheme of nutrition, minerals should be of the least worry.
FOOD STORAGE BASICS
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