Protein is also needed for the formation of all hormones. It also helps regulate the body's water balance. When proteins are digested they are broken down into simpler sections called amino acids. However, not all proteins will contain all the necessary amino acids. Most meat and dairy products contain all necessary amino acids in their proteins.
Proteins are available from both plants and animals.
However, Animal proteins are more complete and thus desirable. Knowledge of the nutrients and their function is essential to understanding the importance of good nutrition. As mentioned above, there are six nutrients. All vitamins are organic food substances that are found only in living things, plants and animals . It is believed that there are about twenty substances that are active as vitamins in human nutrition .