Importance of food Food is an essential part of living.

Among all human activities eating undoubtedly has the greatest effect on health! After breathing, eating is what we do most frequently during a lifetime. The sources of food for man are divided into two: plant and animal sources. Man consumes food from both plant and animal source. Food is the source of nutrients. Nutrients present in food Foods consist of different components of variable nutritional value called nutrients. These are carbohydrates, proteins, fats and oil, minerals, vitamins and water. Carbohydrates, proteins and fats and oil are referred to as macro-nutrients because they are needed in large quantity while vitamins and minerals are referred to as micro-nutrients (needed in small quantity). Carbohydrates: The main function of carbohydrates is to supply energy to carry out bodys functions. About 55 to 65 per cent of total energy must come from complex carbohydrates. Protein: is essential for growth and about 15-20 per cent is needed by the body. These are obtained from both animal and plant products, for example, meat and meat products, fish, dairy and dairy products, poultry and poultry products. Fats and Oil: These are to supply energy, provide the building blocks to cell membranes and help key systems in the body function properly. It helps in absorption of fat soluble Vitamins A, D, E and K. Minerals: The body contains approximately four per cent minerals, which, in common with all other components, must be supplied by the diet. Vitamins: These are organic substances that are present in food in minute quantities but are essential for normal health and growth, cause a specific deficiency disease when not adequately supplied by the diet or improperly absorbed from food.

Deficiency diseases Diseases that are caused by the lack of some particular nutrient in a person's diet are called deficiency diseases. 1. Night-blindness: A child having this disease is unable to see properly in the dark. His eyes become dull and listless and the skin becomes dry. If not treated in time, the child may become blind.

Cause: This disease is caused due to the deficiency of vitamin A in the diet.

2. Beri-beri: This is basically a disorder of the nerves. It affects the health of eyes% and skin, growth of the body, formation of muscles and blood. There may also to be stomach and intestinal disturbances. Cause: This disease is caused due to the deficiency of vitamin-B. 3. Scurvy: People suffering from scurvy have swollen and bleeding gums. They lose weight and become weak. Their teeth start shaking and become loose. Cause: This disease is caused due to the deficiency of vitamin-C. 4. Rickets: Rickets are the disease In this disease, the bones of the legs become thin, deformed and curved (bow-legged). The bones of the child become weak and soft. Cause: This disease is caused due to the deficiency of vitamin D. 5. Anaemia: In this disease, the level of the hemoglobin becomes low gets tired very easily and feels weak. The skin becomes pale. The lips and nails become dull and colorless.

Cause: This disease is caused due to the deficiency of iron. A doctor must also be consulted immediately. 6. Goiter: In this disease, there is swelling around the neck region of a person. Cause: This disease is caused due to the deficiency of iodine. Malnutrition A child in this condition becomes weak and thin. He shows poor growth compared to other children. He gets tired easily. There may be swelling on the feet and hands. The hair becomes very thin and skin of the child gets dark and starts peeling. Such a child is said to be suffering from malnutrition. Cause: Deficiency of proteins and carbohydrates causes this disease. Patients of this deficiency should eat food rich in proteins and carbohydrates. Milk, cereals, starch and sugars, meat and eggs should be a part of their diet. Preventive measures Think Ahead, Stay Ahead Unfortunately even in a controlled environment there can still be a problem with deficiencies. Fortunately there are ways to overcome these deficiencies with the proper use of certain products. Below are a few things you can do to help prevent deficiencies. For more tips and ideas please contact us and one of our knowledgeable staff members will be able to help you. Monitor pH Levels

Avoid drinking water outside range of PH 5.5-6.5. Check the PH daily. Keep the temperature level stable. There are lots of things that can cause a hydroponic nutrient solution to drift outside of the ideal range of about 5.5 - 6.5. Usually, if a nutrient solution is left unmonitored for too long, it can start drifting outside of this range because of bacterial populations. Aerated water at good temperatures (71 degrees or below) will increase in aerobic bacteria, and pH goes up. Even though the pH needs to be adjusted, aerobic bacteria are good for plants. If water temperatures get too warm, anaerobic bacteria will cause pH to drop. Anaerobic bacteria are the microbes that cause root rot. Since pH levels can change very rapidly, it is important to check your pH level daily. The longer your nutrient solution spends outside of this ideal range, the greater the chance that your flowers or vegetables will suffer a plant deficiency. Use a pharmaceutical grade pH adjustment product designed specifically for hydroponics to make the necessary adjustments. Keep Temperature Levels Stable Your nutrient solution should be fairly cool to temperate, somewhere in the range of sixty six to seventy one degrees Fahrenheit. You should be particularly aware of this if you happen to live in an unusually warm or cold part of the world. If you feel it is necessary to prevent plant deficiency, take extra steps insulate your grow room against outside elements. You should also try placing your reservoir directly on the floor, as the floor can be very cool, which can keep the reservoir cool in a warm grow room. Use Supplements The most common deficiencies can be cured by adding a Calcium Magnesium supplement and an organic micronutrient supplement such as seaweed extract. There are several additional products that can increase the availability of nutrients for your plants. Beneficial Bacteria are extremely important to keep roots healthy and clean. Beneficial Fungus will increase root growth. Enzymes clear out any dead root cells. All three of those biological additives can assist in breaking down nutrients for easier uptake by the roots and ensure a large, healthy root zone. Large roots have an easier time absorbing nutrients.