Power: Proteins, Carbohydrates and fats

Proteins, carbohydrates and fats (or lipids) are together with vitamins, minerals and water main constituents of the human body.

They are the basis of the daily diet. Speaking in terms of calories just proteins, carbohydrates and fats provide energy to our body to ” work “. The unit of measurement used is the calorie, and every food in nature has its amount of calories: only the water has no calories equal to zero. Let’s look more closely at these macro-organic nutrients.

1.) Proteins are long chains of amino acids (aa) linked together by peptide bond. The AA is divided into aa essential (our body is unable to synthesize them alone) and aa non-essential and this division comes the definition of biological value protein that determines the amount of aa essential content. Meat, fish and eggs have high biological value; legumes have average biological value; grains have low biological value. Proteins have many functions in our bodies, and all are important: are enzymes and hormones, are antibodies, have defense functions (keratin), carrying oxygen and nutrients, giving support (collagen). The first protein digestion occurs in the stomach. Proteases (enzymes) cleave the peptide bond.

2.) Carbohydrates are sugars formed from carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. All are of plant origin except lactose. The digestion of carbohydrates begins in the mouth for this reason it is important to a Slow chewing of these for better digestion. They can be divided into available and unavailable. The first used the seconds are not digested, and are divided in turn between soluble fiber (which form a kind of film on the intestine) and insoluble fiber (which when taken with plenty of water favors the evacuation).

3.) Fats are made from a fatty acid and an alcohol. The fatty acids can be divided into saturated (those that do not do well, of animal origin) and unsaturated (vegetable origin, which are able in part to decrease cholesterol such as olive oil). Of the latter, three are essential and must not miss: linoleic acid Omega 6, Omega 3 linolenic acid and arachidonic acid Omega 6. The fat digestion occurs due to lipase (enzyme). Unfortunately for what concerns the cells, they retain their shape obtained so if a person is overweight and slim, will always tend to gain weight because those cells have not disappeared but simply deflated and easily can take shape.