Which of the following best differentiates a non-essential nutrient from an essential nutrient ?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Essential nutrients cannot be made in sufficient quantities by the body and must be obtained from food or supplements. Non-essential nutrients, on the other hand, can be made by the body in sufficient quantities, so they are not required in the diet, although they may still have health benefits when obtained from food. Option A is not a good choice because both essential and non-essential nutrients can be found in food. Option B is also not good because nutrients are degraded by the body when they are used, which is a normal part of the metabolic process, so it is not a defining characteristic of either essential or non-essential nutrients. Option D may be true for some non-essential nutrients, but also applies to some essential nutrients.

Which of the Following Best Differentiates a Non-Essential Nutrient from an Essential