Download Nutrients Info. Sheet

The Six Major Nutrients
And Their Uses

Water
-helps dissolve and digest food
-helps transport nutrients to body and extract wastes from the body
-gives the body shape (cells are filled with water)
-helps regulate the body’s temperature
-least expensive nutrient
-most important nutrient (animals can’t live without it)

Protein
-main part of muscles and tissue
-made up of amino acids (essential vs. non-essential)
-very important in growth and reproduction
-monogastrics are picky about their proteins
-ruminants can use and convert them all (rumen is like a magician)

Carbohydrates

Minerals -important to all systems
-Ex. Calcium, phosphorus, sodium, chlorine, potassium, sulfur, iron,
iodine, cobalt, copper, fluorine, manganese.
-Supplied in supplements

Vitamins -needed in small amounts
-used in blood clotting, forming bones, reproducing, and lactation
-help keep the body functioning

Fats
-same as sugars and starches
-supply energy
-used in all parts of life. Ex. Growth, Development, Reproduction,
Lactation (producing milk)
-types are:
simple sugars -glucose
-fructose
-galactose
compound sugars
-sucrose
-maltose
-lactose
complex sugars -starch
-cellulose
-needed in small amounts
-makes the feed taste better, break down better, feel better, and boost
energy levels in feed (gives 2-3 times more energy than carbohydrates)
-increases milk production and fattens meat animals