When swollen lymph nodes are caused by an infection, this is known as lymphadenitis (lim-fad-uh-NIE-tis). Rarely, swollen lymph nodes are caused by cancer. Your lymph nodes, also called lymph glands, play a vital role in your body's ability to fight off infections. They function as filters, trapping viruses, bacteria and other causes of illnesses before they can infect other parts of your body.
As a source of calories, proteins provide four Calories per gram. Proteins are made up of smaller building blocks called amino acids. Twenty amino acids make up all of the human proteins. Of these twenty amino acids, the body can produce only 12, but 8 must be incorporated into the diet.
Amazingly, given enough calories, the human body is capable of manufacturing the majority of the thousands of the chemical nutrients that it needs to sustain life. Several nutrients, however, are not made by the body and are hence called essential. The essential nutrients are divided into six general categories: water, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Adequate intake of fiber is also essential in the normal functioning of the bowels and prevention of disease.