To ensure that the Human Body runs at peak performance, which means repairing muscle tissue and to fight off infections, it needs to take in life sustaining nutrients. These are essential nutrients, which are nutrients that your body can't make on its own. The nutrients known to be essential for human beings are proteins, carbohydrates, fats and oils, minerals, vitamins, and water.

Protein: Protein is necessary for the building of new muscle and the repair and maintenance of present muscle.

Carbohydrates: Starches and sugars are carbohydrates, they are the main source of the body's energy. Common sources of carbohydrates are rice, wheat, corn, and potatoes.

Minerals: Here is a listing of minerals and their vital role in the Human Body.

-Folic acid: formation of red blood cells.

-Biotin: Prevents hair loss.

-Vitamin c: Necessary for healthy teeth, gums and bones.

-Calcium: Needed for bone and tooth formation.

-Phosphorous: Works together with calcium and must be balanced to be effective.

-Magnesium: Needed for healthy muscle tone and healthy bones and heart.

-Potassium: Important in keeping acid-alkaline balance in the blood.

-Sodium: Regulates fluid and acid base balance.

-Sulfur: Vital for healthy skin, hair and nails.

-Iron: Essential for the formation of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen from the lungs to every cell of the body.

-Zinc:aids in wound healing, growth, tissue repair, and sexual development.

-Iodine: Essential in the formation of thyroxin - the thyroid hormone which regulates much of physical and mental activity.

-Copper: Iron cannot be absorbed without copper. Involved in protein metabolism, in healing process and in keeping hair's natural color.

-Manganese: Importantly involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins.

-Fluorine: Essential for bone and tooth building.

There are good fats and there are bad fats. Saturated fats or the bad fats come from animal products should be kept to a minimum. These are the fats that clog Arteries and are potentially deadly. Essential fatty acids or the good fats are Omega-3 fatty acids and Omega-6 fatty acids. These are the fats that humans cannot synthesize, and must be obtained through diet. The essential fatty acids or good fats have many important functions throughout the body. Which include.

-Energy production

-Brain Function

-Healthier Skin, Hair, and Nails.

-May help speed the healing of injuries.

-Many more

Water: Not a whole lot of explanation needed but here goes. Water is involved in many chemical reactions in the body. It also regulates body temperature, and to help eliminate wastes. It is said that water makes up about 70 percent of an adult's body weight.

Nutrient Depletion can be caused by many factors but the main reasons seem to be a bad diet, certain medications or diseases. Eating a well balanced diet will usually do the trick. But for some, nutrient deficiencies will occur. A multi-vitamin might help but the best course might be for you to see your doctor. When in doubt, go see your doctor, always. A physical exam and certain lab tests are available to determine specific nutrient levels in the body.

Please note, the information in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a licensed physician. Again, When in doubt, go see your doctor, always.