Energy and Substances Needed for Life
Food provides essentials to life, including the energy and substances we need to sustain and prolong our lifespans. Every part of the body, like the heart, lungs, brain, and muscles to name a few, require energy to work, which they get from the foods we eat. There are six basic classes of nutrients, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water. However, only the macronutrients - carbohydrates, proteins, and fats - supply our bodies with energy to perform its basic functions.
Carbohydrates
The human body has natural acids and enzymes that break down food, and further breaks down carbohydrates into another form of sugar, which is glucose. Carbohydrates are the most important macronutrient because the glucose created allows for immediate energy use. This is because the stomach and small intestines absorb the glucose and release it into the bloodstream. However, not all of the glucose is turned right into energy, but rather some is stored so that it can be used for energy at a later time. It is important to note that there are two types of carbohydrates that provide for two types of energy. The first are simple carbs (sugar) which allow for a quick burst of energy, and the second are complex carbs (starches) which allow for a more prolonged state of energy (blogs.outdoorherbivore.com). Some simple carbs are: fruit juice, candy, cake, and corn syrup. However, complex carbs are the more preferred of the two carb types and includes: spinach, lettuce, potatoes, carrots, whole grains, and oatmeal.
Proteins and Fats
Proteins and fats are also important for the body. Proteins help the body to grow and build muscles, and are made of amino acids, which are needed for muscles to function properly, for cells to be created, and for antibodies to be formed to help the immune system. Protein rich foods include meats, eggs, avocados, beans, and nuts. Believe it or not, fat is also necessary for life. Fats are something that are known as lipids, which are a type of organic molecule. Fats are important because they serve as storage space for calories and as the largest reserve of energy, since our bodies seem to have an unlimited storage space for fat. The two types of fats are saturated and unsaturated. Saturated fats come from animal products and raise your LDL (bad) cholesterol, thus making them not heart healthy fats. Unsaturated fats, on the other hand, come from plant products and are heart healthy because they simultaneously lower LDL cholesterol and raise HDL (good) cholesterol. Fats can be found in nuts and fish, as well as olive, safflower, peanut, and canola oil.
Minerals and Vitamins
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Mineral and vitamin chart
Minerals and vitamins also heavily impact the body to functioning correctly. They help the immune system, allow for normal growth and development, and help for organs and cells to do their jobs for the body. There are thirteen essential vitamins that have a myriad of responsibilities, which include preventing eye problems, promoting a healthy immune system, forming collagen, creating and maintaining healthy bones, teeth, gums, and blood vessels, protecting cells from damage, and making red blood cells to name a few. Minerals have many of the same responsibilities that vitamins have, but also carry some more tasks as well. Some minerals carry oxygen to parts of the body, while others help with muscle and nervous system functions.
Energy (ATP) - Photosynthesis and Respiration
ATP stands for adenosine triphosphate and it is the body's energy. Photosynthesis is the process by which some plants use sunlight to synthesize food. Respiration is the action of breathing. Although these two terms are very different, they do have a similarity, and that is the presence of ATP.
In photosynthesis, ATP is created from the locations of photochemical reactions of chloroplast cells in plants. The particles from the sunlight energizes the chloroplast membrane of the cell, which creates energy.
In respiration, ATP is made through carbohydrates (sugars). The sugar is broken down to form ATP that goes through different cycles and chains to give the body energy.
In photosynthesis, ATP is created from the locations of photochemical reactions of chloroplast cells in plants. The particles from the sunlight energizes the chloroplast membrane of the cell, which creates energy.
In respiration, ATP is made through carbohydrates (sugars). The sugar is broken down to form ATP that goes through different cycles and chains to give the body energy.
Calories
Now the word that everyone knows: calories. People across the country count them until they're blue in the face. Calories are a unit of measurement. They determine how much energy is in any given food or drink. People 'count calories' to understand how much energy they get from what they're eating or drinking. It's a misconception that calories are bad for you. In reality, your body needs calories to function properly. The problem with calories is that if you consume too much and don't work to burn off the extra, it leads to weight gain. How many calories people need is determined by their age, height, weight, and level of activity. Generally speaking, school age children need between 1,600 and 2,500 calories a day. Adults need around the same range, but again, the exact amount that is recommended for them is based on their body type, how healthy they are, and how often they work out.