An essential nutrient is best defined as a nutrient that ____.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An essential nutrient is a substance that cannot be manufactured by the body, and therefore must be obtained through the diet. Examples of essential nutrients include certain vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. While essential nutrients may be important for growth and development, this is not the defining characteristic of an essential nutrient. Similarly, an essential nutrient may or may not have a healthy number of calories, and may or may not be primarily protein.

An Essential Nutrient Is Best Defined as a Nutrient That