Jinsh

In addition to serving as a source of energy for the organism, the food stuffs must supply necessary constituents for body growth and the maintenance of cellular integrity. A normal state of nutrition requires the administration of a diet adequate in caloric content as well as one containing sufficient protein, vitamin, and minerals. Following trauma and in many disease states, catabolism is accelerated and it is necessary to supply additional calories in order to avoid the utilization of the patient’s own tissues. An inadequate supply of protein off good quality results in hunger edema and kwashiorkor, disorders common among malnourished populations.

The requirement for a given dietary factor is in part dependent on the available supply of other constituents – concerned in its utilization. There is also a great variation in the amino acids, vitamins, utilizable minerals present in different foods. These factors must all be considered in the evaluation of a given diet.

Role of Diet in Disease

A deficiency or excessive intake of certain dietary constituents may induce marked pathologic disturbances. Increasing interest is accordingly being directed toward the possible role which dietary factors may play in the pathogenesis of the so – called degenerative diseases.

Sweating the evaporation of sweat constitutes the principal means for dissipating heat when the external air is hotter than the body. For each liter evaporated, 580 kcal are lost, and since as much as 1.7 liters of sweat may be formed per hour, this means a potential heat lost of 1000 kcal per hr by this route. Such excessive losses of sweat are accompanied by dehydration and the incidental loss of salt and may lead to circulatory failure. When the environment is hotter that the body and is saturated with water vapor, heat loss becomes impossible.