In order for the human body to stay healthy and productive, a wide variety of nutrients is required. Macronutrients and micronutrients are both needed to maintain all the body’s functions. Macronutrients include carbohydrates, fats and cholesterol, proteins, and amino acids. Micronutrients that the body needs in lesser amounts include vitamins, minerals, and trace minerals. There are around 30 vitamins and minerals the body is not able to produce itself. These are called essential micronutrients and the body can only get these from outside sources such as foods and supplements consumed.
Macronutrients
Carbohydrates – necessary for energy needed to fuel body cells and primarily fit into the categories of sugars, starches, and fiber. Too many carbohydrate foods or the wrong kinds of carbohydrates can of course be stored by the body as fat after the needed amount is utilized. Adjust your diet of carb foods to meet the requirements according to your activity level. Eating carbohydrates after a workout helps your body produce insulin which is needed for muscle building. They also help replenish your energy after an extreme workout by replacing glycogen and glucose. Complex carbs include whole grains such as oatmeal, brown rice, and quinoa, starchy vegetables such as potatoes, beans, peas, and legumes, and other fruits and vegetables.
Fats and Cholesterol – are necessary for hormone production, supporting the growth of cells, producing energy, protecting body organs, and the brain in particular needs lots good fats to perform well. The types of fats to include in your diet are the unsaturated variety which includes polyunsaturated (such as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids) and monounsaturated (such as found in olive oil, nuts, seeds, and avocados). Every body cell contains cholesterol which is necessary in producing hormones and other substances the body needs. EFAs or Essential Fatty Acids are needed in particular for heart and brain health as well as for maintaining and repairing skin, blood vessels, and nerve tissues. The body cannot product EFAs by itself and must get them from foods we eat or supplementation.
Protein – is found in all body cells and is converted into amino acids for the body to use as fuel. Proteins fall into the categories of either complete proteins or incomplete proteins. The complete proteins have all the amino acids needed to build more proteins. Incomplete proteins only have some of these amino acids. Complete proteins usually are found in animal food sources, whereas plant sources usually fall into the incomplete category. Good lean sources of protein include chicken, turkey, salmon, tuna, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese and other dairy products, eggs, tofu, nuts, beans and AFA bluegreen algae which has 75% usable high quality protein.
Micronutrients
Vitamins – are categorized as water soluble and fat soluble. Fat soluble vitamins include vitamins A, E, D and K and are stored in body tissues. Water soluble vitamins are those such as vitamins C and B-complex which can be dissolved in water and are carried to body tissues but not stored in them.
Minerals – are categorized as microminerals and trace minerals. Microminerals include calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and sodium. Trace minerals include those such as copper, iron, iodine, and zinc.
Get It All
The easy way to ensure you are getting the full spectrum of nutrition your body needs with all the elements listed above is by supplementing your diet with AFA bluegreen algae. AFA (Aphanizomenon flos-aquae) has a unique nutritional profile with a broad spectrum of phytonutrients, plant-based proteins, vitamins and minerals, essential fatty acids (EFAs), macronutrients, and numerous micronutrients which help sustain growth, energy, and overall health. This type of algae per gram contains:
- 4-6% total fat
- carbohydrates of 24-30%
- less than 1 mg of cholesterol
- approximately 45% of the lipids in AFA are essential fatty acids
- approximately 50 – 64% protein
- 40.2 – 49.1% essential amino acids; and 50.9 to 59.8% non-essential amino acids
- fat soluble vitamins A, E, D and K and water soluble vitamins vitamins C and B-complex
- calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, copper, iron, iodine, and zinc plus more
A healthy diet and appropriate exercise for your body type is the best way to stay healthy. Many of us strive for this type of lifestyle but inevitably fall short with all the time consuming demands of everyday life. That is when using supplementation with a whole foods alternative can really help out. AFA bluegreen algae is my solution giving me the peace of mind in knowing I am getting all the essential nutrition my body needs and I invite you to give it a try for yourself.
Sources:
https://blog.newearth.com/variety-is-the-spice-of-life/
https://www.health.com/nutrition/what-is-a-complete-protein
https://www.medicinenet.com/water_soluble_vitamins_vs_fat_soluble_vitamins/ask.htm