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Balanced Diets

To lead a healthy life, animals must make sure that they consume a balanced diet. Their diet must contain all the right food types, as well as vitamins and minerals. A balanced diet prevents some diseases.

Parts of a healthy balanced diet

Parts of a healthy balanced diet

  • There are seven key components of a varied and healthy diet.
    • Carbohydrates - an energy source.
    • Lipids (fats) - an energy source.
    • Proteins - for growth and repair of tissues.
    • Vitamins - help prevent deficiency diseases.
    • Minerals - are needed for key chemicals in your body.
    • Fibre - helps keep you regular and avoid constipation.
    • Water - so that you can stay hydrated.
Deficiency diseases

Deficiency diseases

  • If you lack a significant amount of particular nutrients you may develop a particular deficiency disease. Examples of deficiency diseases include:
    • Scurvy.
      • This comes from not eating enough vitamin C. It causes issues in your connective tissues.
    • Rickets.
      • This comes from not eating enough vitamin D. This vitamin is vital for bone development so not consuming enough will lead to a softening of your bones. Rickets gives you bowed legs.
Deficiency diseases - more examples

Deficiency diseases - more examples

  • Goitre.
    • This comes from not eating enough iodine. The thyroid gland in your neck swells up.
  • Anaemia.
    • This comes from not eating enough iron. It is where you don’t have enough red blood cells. Iron is a key component of haemoglobin, the chemical that transports oxygen around your body. This is why blood has a metallic taste.
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Biology

1.1

Cells, Tissues & Organs

1.2

Reproduction & Variation

1.3

Ecological Relationships & Classification

1.4

Digestion & Nutrition

1.5

Plants & Photosynthesis

1.6

Biological Systems & Processes

2

Chemistry

2.1

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2.2

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2.3

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2.5

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2.6

Reactivity

2.7

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2.8

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3

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3.2

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3.3

Waves

3.4

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Disciplinary Knowledge

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