List the essential fatty acids (EFA) for human beings. What are the signs of EFA deficiency? What is the minimum amount of EFA required to prevent a deficiency? What foods are rich sources of EFA?
What will be an ideal response?
The human body needs fatty acids, and it can make all but two of them—linoleic acid (the 18-carbon omega-6 fatty acid) and linolenic acid (the 18-carbon omega-3 fatty acid). These two fatty acids must be sup- plied by the diet and are therefore essential fatty acids. The cells do not possess the enzymes to make any of the omega-6 or omega-3 fatty acids from scratch, nor can they convert an omega-6 fatty acid to an omega-3 fatty acid or vice versa. Cells can, however, use the 18-carbon member of an omega family from the diet to make the longer fatty acids of that family by forming double bonds (desaturation) and lengthening the chain two carbons at a time (elongation). This is a slow process because the omega-3 and omega-6 families compete for the same enzymes. Too much of a fatty acid from one family can create a deficiency of the other family's longer fatty acids, which becomes critical only when the diet fails to deliver adequate supplies. Therefore, the most effective way to maintain body supplies of all the omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids is to obtain them directly from foods—most notably, from vegetable oils, seeds, nuts, fish, and other seafoods.
Most diets in the United States and Canada meet the minimum essential fatty acid requirement adequately. Historically, deficiencies have developed only in infants and young children who have been fed fat-free milk and low-fat diets or in hospital clients who have been mistakenly fed formulas that provided no polyunsaturated fatty acids for long periods of time. Classic deficiency symptoms include growth retardation, reproductive failure, skin lesions, kidney and liver disorders, and subtle neurological and visual problems.
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Why do produce stores and supermarkets often spray water on fresh fruits and vegetables? Explain the principle behind this common practice. Can you think of any problems that might occur? Why do lemons that are stored in water produce twice the amount of juice that they normally do?
What will be an ideal response?
Ms. Wooly brought her daughter, Mary, age 16, to the health care center to be seen by the nurse for a referral to the physician. Together, they tell the nurse that Mary has had nausea, vomiting, and headaches for the past 2 weeks. She has vomited "almost every day." Ms. Wooly began to cry as she tells the nurse that Mary does not remember the date of her last menstrual period and that she is
afraid that Mary is pregnant. During this interchange, Mary appears stoic and does not cry or have any verbalizations. After a blood test that confirmed the pregnancy, Ms. Wooly became calmer. A prenatal assessment was begun. Ms. Wooly answered most of the questions even though they were directed at Mary. Last menstrual period was estimated to be 2 months ago. Menses onset began 4 years ago. Ht: 5?8? Wt: 125 lbs Medium frame size She described her usual dietary intake as including hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, candy, and colas. Mary denies alcohol, drug, or cigarette use. Mary would not discuss the father of the child, nor did she volunteer any additional information. It is evident that Mary has some urgent needs that must be addressed during this visit. Mary is young and will need time to accept the pregnancy, but she must also begin to eat properly to meet her nutritional needs and those of the infant. State three nursing diagnosis statements from the assessment data.
Processed meats tend to have ______ total and saturated fat than fresh, unprocessed meats.
Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).
From a health perspective, fruits are better sources of sucrose and fructose than table sugar because they:
a. contain higher concentrations of these carbohydrates per unit of weight. b. also provide fats. c. also provide protein. d. also provide fiber, vitamins, and minerals. e. provide these sugars in a more absorbable form than table sugar does.