Owners of cars do not question the need for their proper assembly, maintenance and fuel. They know that, as complex machines, cars need to be given the appropriate type of gasoline (or other fuel), oil, and other fluids. They would not attempt to argue that a car could run without these things.

Our bodies are much, much more complex machines than are our cars, and they too have basic needs for the types of fuel that help them to develop, operate properly, and maintain themselves. Proper nutrition is essential for humans at all stages of our lives to keep our bodies in optimal shape and to provide us with healthy, long and happy lives. In this article I will describe some of the major reasons that nutrition is so important for everyone throughout the life cycle.

EXISTENCE

Without proper nutrition, none of us would be here as we would not even have made it to our own births. Nutrition is crucial from the time the fertilized egg that is us in our earliest days implants itself in the womb to this very day that we are still here, living and breathing. Our most basic needs are food, water and oxygen, and if nutrition is not maintained, we cease to exist.

DEVELOPMENT

Our early nutritional needs are provided to us through our mother's placenta, as she does the eating and drinking for us in these early months of our lives when we are not yet ready to take on the task. Her nutritional choices influence the way our bodies and brains develop and optimal choices at this crucial time of "critical periods" is very, very important. An entirely new person growing from a small collection of cells is no small feat, and the proper amounts of protein, vitamins, carbohydrates and minerals are essential during this time for the development of the brain, bones, skin, eyes, and every other part of us.

Once born, development continues at a rapid pace through childhood and the teen years, and nutrition remains very important during this time as well. People who are still growing need large amounts of carbohydrates for fuel and to provide the sugar required to run their curious, active, and ever-developing brains. As well, since bone development and growth is important during the childhood years, plenty of calcium is important (this is usually gained through dairy products such as milk). Vitamins of course are important, such as Vitamin A for eyes, E for skin, and B for the developing immune system.

BRAIN FUNCTION

The brain needs sugar to operate and this is

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