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🎯 Main Points

Nutrition and Health

PSY408 - Health Psychology

🔑 Key Definitions

Nutrients: Substances from food that body needs for growth and health
Saturated Fat: Unhealthy fat that raises cholesterol (solid at room temp)
Trans Fat: Processed fat that raises LDL and lowers HDL
LDL: "Bad" cholesterol that causes plaque buildup
HDL: "Good" cholesterol that removes LDL from blood

🧠 Six Essential Nutrients

  • Water: Most important! Body is ~60% water
  • Carbohydrates: Main energy source
  • Fats: Energy storage, organ protection
  • Proteins: Build and repair body tissues
  • Vitamins: Help body processes function
  • Minerals: Bones, blood, body functions

📊 Types of Sugars

  • Simple (Monosaccharides): Glucose, Fructose - quick energy
  • Complex (Disaccharides/Polysaccharides): Sucrose, Lactose, Starch - slower release

🛠 Diet-Related Diseases

  • Atherosclerosis: Plaque buildup in arteries (fat/cholesterol)
  • Hypertension: High blood pressure (excess sodium)
  • Cancer: High fat, low fiber increases risk
  • Diabetes: Related to obesity and diet

💡 Exam Tips

  • SIX essential nutrients: Water, Carbs, Fats, Proteins, Vitamins, Minerals
  • Saturated fat is MOST dangerous for heart
  • LDL = "Lousy" (bad); HDL = "Happy" (good) cholesterol
  • Trans fats are DOUBLE bad (raise LDL AND lower HDL)
  • Food pyramid: Base = grains, Top = fats/sweets (eat least)