Body composition and categories of nutrients
The average human body contains about 20 % of fat, 15% protein, much smaller amounts of carbohydrate (perhaps I %) and large amounts of water. It also contains substantial amounts of the “major minerals,” from calcium and phosphorus down to sulfur and magnesium as well as trace quantities of most elements. The human diet reflects this compositional need, and consists of large quantities of water containing, proteinaceous, fatty, and carbohydrate foods, as well as others rich in the minerals.
The trace elements are found in connection with these other nutrients, except where extensive processing and purification has occurred. In all, one may partition the nutrients into six categories: proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, major minerals, and trace elements. This excludes a consideration of water and oxygen as nutrients, since no special efforts are required to produce and provide them.
Body composition and categories of nutrients
