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Nutritional catchphrases are printed on food
labels, medicines, and vitamin supplements. But the precise
meaning of these terms can be a little baffling. Review these
health and nutritional definitions.
Bioavailability
refers to the amount of nutrients contained in food or supplement
that the body actually can absorb or the availability of nutrients
the body can receive.
Daily Values
or DVs are printed on the Nutrition Facts panel of a food label.
Designed to provide consumers with a quick reference of nutrients
and ingredients, information includes the Food and Drug Administration’s
recommendations of the average dietary needs. Although the information
details information based on the "typical" consumer,
it varies based on individual's gender, age and weight.
The Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) uses “daily values” to calculate
and compare the recommended daily intake of the amount of nutrients
contained in a single serving size.
For instance, a food with a Daily Value of 20 percent fat offers
20 percent of the day’s daily requirement. If a bowl of cereal
contains 240 milligrams of sodium and the recommended daily
allowance (RDA) of sodium is 2,400 milligrams, the cereal represents
10 percent of the daily value.
Nutritional
fact: Ten food components of daily values are required on food
labels. The other 22 food components are optional.
Essential
Nutrients -- are nutritional substances the body cannot live
without. They play a vital role in one’s diet because without
them the body is susceptible to deficiency and health condition
that can lead to a chronic illness. Essential nutrients include
vitamins, minerals, certain fats and amino acids. These nutritional
elements are diet vital for maintaining health and supporting
the metabolic system. |
