The moment we put food in our mouths, each titbit of nutrients starts to be broken down for use of our body. The process of metabolism starts here and transforms food into components that we can use for the body’s basic fuel source.2 Fats, carbohydrates, and proteins are the three nutrients we are concerned with. If all three of these nutrients are abundant in our diet, fats and carbohydrates will be the primary nutrients used for energy. Proteins will provide the raw materials for making muscles.
-Protein in the food we eat are broken down into pieces called amino acids that are used to build new proteins with specific functions. When there is a shortage of fats or carbohydrates, proteins can also be used for energy.2 If protein intake exceeds the need for synthesis and energy needs are met, then amino acids from dietary protein and their carbon fragments may be stored as fat.1
-Fats typically provide more than half of the body’s energy. The fat from food is broken down into fatty acids, which travel in the blood and be used by hungry cells. The fatty acids that aren’t needed will be packaged up in bundles called triglycerides and stored in fat cells.2
-Carbohydrates in food are digested into smaller pieces and are converted into either glucose or a sugar that is easily converted into glucose. These smaller pieces are absorbed through the small intestine’s walls. After stopping off at the liver, glucose enters the circulatory system, causing blood glucose levels to rise. Once the cells have had their fill of glucose, the excess of glucose is stored in the liver where it is used in between meals if glucose levels fall too low.2 Whatever is in excess of what the liver can’t use, it can be turned into fat. When carbohydrates are scarce, the body runs mainly on fats. If the energy needed exceeds those provided by fats in the diet, the body must liquidate the fat tissue for energy.2
The body’s fuel sources such as proteins, fats, and carbohydrates in excess can be stored as fat. So the fuel we put in our bodies plays an important role in our health, appearance, energy, performance, as well as overall well-being. Eating a correct amount of each nutrient will make or break your physique.
Resources:
1Clark, M., Lucett, S., & Corn, R. J. (2008). NASM essentials of personal fitness training. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
2Gebel, E., PhD. (n.d.). How the Body Uses Carbohydrates, Proteins, and Fats. Retrieved May 29, 2016, from http://www.diabetesforecast.org/2011/mar/how-the-body-uses-carbohydrates-proteins-and-fats.html
Good read. I have found, once I started thinking of food as fuel it becomes so much easier too consume better food choices. If we can get our athletes to understand this it would help so much with nutrition.
ReplyDeleteReally liked you post. I like how you addressed what happens whenever we ingest every fuel source and what happens whenever we ingest too much. Great blog and I hope you will continue this topic with how each fuel source is used during physical activity.
ReplyDeleteI agree, good read. I like that it's informative and gives the basics of proteins, carbs, and fats for those who don't fully understand what these nutrients do for our bodies.
ReplyDeleteVery good blog. This is what people need to read. You get too much of I want to a gluten free diet or I want to do an Atkins diet. What people need to do is look at the basic information that you have here, and make good decisions from it.
ReplyDelete