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→What are Nutrient Requirements?
==What are Nutrient Requirements?==
==What are Nutrient Requirements?==
An '''essential nutrient is a dietary substance that is required to maintain health or prevent disease in ‘healthy’ animals'''<ref name="NRC"/>. More than 40 essential nutrients have been identified in both dogs and cats<ref name="NRC">National Research Council. (2006) Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats. Washington, DC: National Academy Press</ref>. Although [[Energy - Nutrition|energy]] is not a nutrient per se, it is essential, and requirements are defined for dogs and cats.
An '''essential nutrient is a dietary substance that is required to maintain health or prevent disease in ‘healthy’ animals'''<ref name="NRC"/>. More than 40 essential nutrients have been identified in both dogs and cats<ref name="NRC">National Research Council. (2006) Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats. Washington, DC: National Academy Press</ref>. Although [[Energy - Nutrition|energy]] is not a nutrient per se, it is essential, and requirements are defined for dogs and cats.
The term ‘conditionally’ essential nutrient has been used to describe a small number of substances such as glutamine that are not normally considered essential. However in certain specific diseases or in other stressful conditions biosynthesis of these substances becomes inadequate and a dietary supply is required<ref>Chipponi, J. X. et al (1982) Am J Clin Nutr 35: 1112-1116.</ref>.
The term '''‘conditionally’ essential nutrient '''has been used to describe a small number of substances such as glutamine that are not normally considered essential. However in certain specific diseases or in other stressful conditions biosynthesis of these substances becomes inadequate and a dietary supply is required<ref>Chipponi, J. X. et al (1982) Am J Clin Nutr 35: 1112-1116.</ref>.
'''The requirement for an essential nutrient is the amounts or concentration that is needed to maintain health or prevent disease'''. For many nutrients there is range of acceptable intakes which is defined by the minimum amount required to prevent adverse effects resulting from too little intake (deficiency) or the maximum intake above which, also results in adverse effects (i.e. toxicity).
'''The requirement for an essential nutrient is the amounts or concentration that is needed to maintain health or prevent disease'''. For many nutrients there is range of acceptable intakes which is defined by the minimum amount required to prevent adverse effects resulting from too little intake (deficiency) or the maximum intake above which, also results in adverse effects (i.e. toxicity).
The range of acceptable intakes for any nutrient varies according to the specific nutrient in question, and the species (i.e. dog or cat) and life-stage (ie growth, adult maintenance, pregnancy and lactation) it is intended for.
The range of acceptable intakes for any nutrient varies according to the specific nutrient in question, and the species (i.e. dog or cat) and life-stage (ie growth, adult maintenance, pregnancy and lactation) it is intended for.
==Why are they Important?==
==Why are they Important?==