Discussion on Macronutrients

            There are four main components of a nutritional assessment. They include anthropometric measurements, biochemical measurements, clinical evaluations or assessments, and dietary assessments. According to Knox et al. (2003), Anthropometric measurements evaluate body compositions that include height and weight among others. On the other hand, biochemical measurements assess parameters that include hemoglobin count, serum albumin levels, metabolism, serum proteins, and micronutrients. The third component (clinical measurements) evaluates psychological issues as well as changing nutritional requirements (Knox et al., 2003). In this case, the assessment involves physical examinations and evaluation of the medical history. The last component is the dietary measurement which examines the dietary history, adequacy of diet, and the use of supplements. Subjective findings that are vital in the development of a nutritional plan include food habits, use of supplements, meal patterns, and medical conditions. Alternatively, the most important objective findings include components of physical and anthropometric examination – weight, height, and age among others.

            Macronutrients are nutrients that are needed in large portions to serve as critical sources of energy. In this case, they are vital in the maintenance of body functions. They include carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. According to Carreiro et al. (2016), the circulating metabolites of macronutrients are critical in determining eating frequencies, signaling ingestive events as well as activating brain reward systems among others. As a result, macronutrients serve as determinants of appetite and energy intake over time. Gaucher disease is an example of a metabolic disorder that affects the normal metabolism of a nutrient. It is a recessive genetic disorder that results in bone pain, low platelet counts, and an enlarged liver among others. According to Stirnemann et al. (2017), the disorder’s pathophysiology occurs when a defect in the housekeeping gene results in the catalyzation of the glucocerebroside. In this case, the enzyme fails to function properly resulting in the accumulation of the glucocerebroside and fibrils. These waste products result in Gaucher cells and the inhibition of normal metabolism.