Journal Report on Macro-nutrients

Journal Report on Macro-nutrients

A human body requires nutrients for it to function effectively and the nutrients that are required in large amounts are called macronutrients. Macronutrients consist of carbohydrates (sugar), fats (lipids) and proteins. In carbohydrates there are 4 calories per gram, proteins has well contains 4 calories per gram but fats has the highest amount of calories which are 9 calories per gram.

Carbohydrates basic structures are sugar molecules and they are classified into two groups according to the sugar molecules that they contain and this are; simple carbohydrates that have one sugar molecule called monosaccharide or two sugar molecules called disaccharides and complex carbohydrates that contain more than two sugar molecules called polysaccharides. Polysaccharides are further classified basing on how glucose molecules bound together and the capability of them to be digested, starch (digestible) and fiber (non-digestible).

Proteins are large molecules that may consist of hundreds or thousands of amino acid molecules (nitrogen molecules). There is a possibility for existence of hundreds of thousands of proteins because of the different combination of the amino acids and existence of different amino acids.

Fats are said to be subgroups of compounds known as lipids and contain a combination of 3 fatty acids and 1 molecule of glycerol and have a property of being hydrophobic. They are classified according to their solubility and whether they have double in their structure or not.

Functions of macro nutrients

Protein

Proteins consumed when people eat things like meat, whole grains, legumes, beans, peanut butter and milk and if one doesn’t have enough proteins it can lead to them having problem healing wounds, swelling in the foot, decreased muscle mass and experiencing fatigue.  Protein main functions include;

• They speed up chemical reaction like digestion and synthesis by acting like enzymes
• Some proteins are hormones and help in carrying messages from one body organ to the other
• They provide structure to skin, teeth, bones among other organs,
• Proteins acts as antibiotics and prevent bodies from bacteria attacks
• They maintain fluid balance in the body
• Proteins maintain a stable balance in the body fluids
• They transport nutrients from one organ to another
• Are used to replicate DNA

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are present in foods like grains, potatoes fruits and milk. Their main function is to provide the body with energy, the glucose is taken up in the body cells and used as fuel molecule and lack of enough carbohydrates can cause a condition called hypoglycemia. Carbohydrates are as well used for other purposes like;

• They provide stored energy, if the body has enough energy an extra glucose intake is stored to be used for later energy purposes
• Carbohydrates are used to preserve muscle by preventing muscles from being broken down into amino acids and get converted into glucose in order to generate energy.
• They promote digestion processes
• Carbohydrates are used to prevent ketosis

Fats

Fats are found in foods like avocados, cheese, chocolates, fish, nuts, coconuts and yoghurts among other and they are highly recommended for people with low appetite, people who are sick and the elderly people. Fats help in the following ways in the body;

• They reserve energy
• Provide essential fatty acids for the body
• Are main source of energy
• They help in vitamin absorption
• Fats help in insulation and temperature regulation.