Question

Explain one specific thing that you learned from this class about a component of nutrition and its impact on performance.

Answer 1

Nutrition has 7 big components that are undeniably required for proper organism function and, thus, proper physical performance. None of these components can substitute any other. Let's take and example and work it through, lipids. Lipids are big organic molecules that are very hydrophibic and are used in the body for 3 main functions: hormone production, heat isolation and energy obtaining. The lack of lipids in your system would lead to eventual failure of muscle contration (skeletal muscle) during intense physical activity, that occurs because even though carbohydrates are also a source of energy (even a faster one), carbohydrates are less energetic than lipids, that is, lipids provide much more energy than carbphydrates throught the beta oxydation pathway. A biochemical process that takes huge energy amounts like muscle contraction during intense physical activity requires lipids eventually, as the energy source.

But there would be another problem, lack of lipids like cholesterol may bring hormonal problems, as it is the precursor molecule to produce steroid hormones, for example, testosterone. Physical performance gets affected if hormonal levels are not functioning correctly.

Each nutrition component lack will show certain consequences in the body, just like the example with lipids.