Category: Human nutrition

Folic acid is a vital B vitamin essential for the production and maintenance of new cells in the body. As a precursor to a key coenzyme, it is indispensable for numerous biological processes, including the healthy functioning of the nervous system and the formation of red blood cells.

According to IGCSE biology principles, a balanced diet provides all necessary food groups in the correct proportions to support growth, repair, and metabolism. Understanding what is a balanced diet in IGCSE biology is crucial for comprehending human nutrition and the physiological needs of the body.

Over half of the world's crops are directly used to feed humans, forming the foundation of what are we used for food. Our diet, though globally diverse, relies on core biological sources to provide essential nutrients for survival and health.

Over 40% of the world's food calories come from starchy crops like rice, wheat, and potatoes. Understanding what are the enzymes that break down starch is crucial for grasping how our bodies and certain industries process these essential complex carbohydrates into simpler sugars.

According to the World Health Organization, better nutrition is linked to improved maternal and child health, stronger immune systems, and lower risks of chronic disease. Understanding what is life cycle human nutrition means recognizing that the body's dietary needs are not static but change significantly from birth through older age.

Scientific estimates suggest that the total absorptive surface area of the small intestine, thanks to its intricate folds, villi, and microvilli, is comparable in size to a tennis court. This massive surface is a key feature that illuminates the central role of absorption in nutrition, a vital process that follows digestion to fuel every cell in your body.

The human body contains approximately seven grams of the trace element silicon, from which nutritional silica is derived. Though often overlooked, this element plays a critical role in numerous biological functions. So, do humans have silica in their bodies? The scientific consensus confirms its vital presence and function for overall health.

Approximately 78% of the Earth's atmosphere is nitrogen, yet humans cannot use it directly by breathing. Instead, we rely on a complex biological cycle and our diet to get their nitrogen, the essential building block for our bodies and all life on Earth.

Cobalt is an essential component of vitamin B12, and a deficiency is primarily associated with inadequate synthesis of this critical vitamin, leading to severe health complications in both humans and livestock. Deficiencies manifest differently across species, causing a range of debilitating symptoms that impact health, growth, and energy metabolism.