Subscribe to our Newsletter:
Healthy Diet Plans  >>  Questions Asked  >>  Health Advice

Carbohydrates Lipids Proteins

Explain advantages of Carbohydrates Lipids Proteins?
(September 12, 2011)

Carbohydrates are the body’s main source of energy, and carbohydrates in fact spare protein and fat from being used for energy. Foods rich in carbohydrates are high in minerals and vitamins, which are essential nutrients for good health. These foods are also high in fiber and cut down your risk of getting certain chronic diseases.

Lipids are a concentrated energy source and also structural components of the body’s cell membranes. Everybody requires a certain amount of fat from their diet for normal body functions. These fats on digestion, emulsification, and absorption help facilitate the intestinal absorption as well as transportation of fat soluble vitamins D, E, A and K.

Proteins are an important part of every cell in the human body.

Your nails and hair are made up of protein. Protein is used by the body to repair and build tissue. Protein is also used to make hormones, certain body chemicals, and enzymes. Proteins also contribute towards the building of muscles, cartilage, bones, blood and skin.

Submitted by N on September 12, 2011 at 11:41


Are carbohydrates necessary?

Carbohydrates can be divided into two groups: complex and simple. Simple carbohydrates include lactose, sucrose, fructose, and other sugars. Complex carbohydrates include starches and fiber. You can find complex carbohydrates in beans, peas, whole grains, oatmeal, and rice. A longer time period is needed for carbohydrates to be digested. Carbohydrates are necessary for the body, and one of the main uses of carbohydrates is to provide energy to the body. The body directly uses carbohydrates from monosaccharide glucose. Glucose is present in the extracellular fluids and blood and can be created from glycogen. There is the storage of glucose in the muscles and liver, and in smaller amounts in other tissues and organs of the body. Energy is got from the glucose by the glucose molecules splitting into smaller compounds and oxidizing them to form water so that a large amount of energy is freed.

The other advantages of carbohydrates include regulating different metabolic processes in the body and preventing ketosis and breaking down fatty acids. The carbohydrates benefits to health are due to the fact that they are rich in phytonutrients and a good source of vitamins and fiber. Choosing wisely, your carbohydrates can be a very healthy addition to your diet. Make sure that you consume sufficient vegetables and fruits.
Submitted by N on July 27, 2011 at 05:34


How do proteins assist with immunity?

Proteins are essential for the maintenance of cells, growth, and the body’s functioning. The total weight of the body is made up of around 17 percent of proteins. The functions of the body are regulated by amino acids and enzymes that are required for the metabolic and digestive processes. The benefits of proteins for the immune system are because it is needed to produce white blood cells. Complete sources of protein have all the nine amino acids. They are present in animal foods like milk, eggs, poultry, fish, and meat.

The protein for better immune response against lung cancer is SLC or secondary lymphoid tissue chemokine. SLC present in the lymph nodes is a part of the protein group known as chemokines. Chemokines are able to attract white blood cells that are powerful known as dendritic and lymphocyte cells, which are central to the ability of the immune system to recognize cancer and bring about an attack against the cells. Protein for immunity helps individuals by maintaining muscle health and proper white cell count. Some foods that help increase immunity are orange juice, ginger, lemons, and honey. If you are dieting, it is advisable that you keep checking the levels of protein with your doctor.
Submitted by N on July 22, 2011 at 05:33


Are lipids best source of energy?

Lipids are a diverse and large group of organic compounds that occur naturally and are related by their solubility in organic solvents that are nonpolar like benzene, acetone, chloroform, and ether. One of the functions of lipids is for energy storage. There are a lot of calories contained in lipids in a small space. As lipids are not soluble in substances that are polar, like water, they are stored in ways that are special in the cells of the body.

The body’s primary and best source of energy is glucose. Glucose is the main source of the brains energy, and its availability has an influence on the psychological processes. Lipids are used for energy storage as a backup. If there is a lack of glucose in the body, then lipids (fatty acids) will be used as an energy source. The other functions of lipids is that they can be made use of as heat insulation since the fat present under that skin can reduce the loss of heat and also that it can allow buoyancy since they are not as dense as water. You can find the physiologic energy values for lipids in various foods on the Internet and other books on health.

Submitted by N on July 17, 2011 at 05:32


Can carbohydrate build muscles?

Not enough importance is usually given to carbohydrates when a plan for a muscle building diet is made. This is due to the ignorance of the importance of carbohydrates for muscle growth. However, it is important that you understand that the quantity of carbohydrates you eat and the kind of carbohydrates you consume will have a significant impact on the process of muscle building. In order to optimize carbohydrates for muscle building, you should know how to integrate it into your diet. It is not very complicated, and there are a few simple rules you can follow.

One tip to minimize storage of fat is to consume complex carbohydrates. You can find complex carbohydrates in oatmeal, whole grain cereal, potatoes, and brown rice. Complex carbohydrates should be the most part of your daily intake of calories. This is because they enable the formation of muscle glycogen, which is the long lasting fuel that the body needs to train hard. The importance of carbohydrates for bodybuilding that is natural is due to the fact that the maximum efficiency of food has to be relied on for the production of energy and muscle growth rather than steroids. If you follow some of the simple rules, you will be able to build muscles at a faster rate.

Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids are the four main types of organic compounds. These are present in all living organisms. Organic compounds are composed of oxygen, hydrogen and carbon. Carbon forms the backbone of the compounds. Atoms of carbon bond with one another easily and hence most organic compounds are essentially made up of carbon chains of varying shapes and lengths. Every carbon atom has a valence number of 4 and this makes the compounds that are formed more complex. Carbon atoms can combine with other atoms to make double or triple bonds. Thus the makeup of organic compounds is likely to be more varied.  

Organic compounds are categorized according to the functional groups. The four primary types of organic compounds, namely carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids are associated with basic life processes. Carbohydrates are molecular compounds that are made up of 3 atoms, oxygen, hydrogen and carbon. Carbohydrates are further classified as simple sugars and complex sugars. Simple sugars include cakes and candy, while complex sugars include potatoes and pasta. Lipids are a group of oils and fats. They include essential oils, fatty oils, waxes, lipoproteins, fatty acids and phospholipids. Proteins are composed of amino acids.

There can be about 500 amino acids in one protein. These are present in combinations of nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, carbon and sulfur.  Nucleic acids are complex biological molecules which are necessary for life. They are called nucleic acids as they were discovered in the nucleus of the cell and contain phosphate groups which are associated with phosphoric acid. The term nucleic acid covers DNA and RNA which is present in all living cells. The nucleotide is the main component in biological nucleic acids. Each nucleotide contains a nucleobase, a phosphate group and a pentose sugar. Nucleic acids can also be produced in a laboratory through solid phase chemical synthesis using enzymes.

Nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids and proteins have many different functions. Carbohydrates provide fuel for cellular functions. They also add fiber to the body which helps in the process of digestion. Fiber also slows down absorption of glucose and absorbs cholesterol. Proteins provide the basis of the bones, muscles, skin, hair and circulatory system. Some proteins are also known to play a role in cell signaling which allows communication between various parts of the body.

Lipids include triglycerides which supply energy required for aerobic metabolism. They are also stored in the fat tissues called adipose which create a layer beneath the skin, around the organs and skeletal muscles. Cholesterol gives structure to the cellular membranes and steroid hormones. Cholesterol also regulates the balance of fluids within the cells and the external environment.

The fat in the body offers a sort of insulation against trauma and shock and is also stored for future energy requirements. Nucleic acids also perform some essential functions. The DNA enables the cells to grow and perform their biological functions. The RNA controls which genes are manifested in an individual. It also transfers information from the DNA to the ribosomes in the cells, where protein synthesis occurs.


Submitted by N on July 11, 2011 at 05:31


Information on Macronutrients for Body

Carbohydrates, lipids or fats and proteins are the three macronutrients which provide energy and other micronutrients to the body to perform vital functions. Carbohydrates and proteins provide 4 calories each per gram and lipids provide almost double that is 9 calories per gram.

Carbohydrate is considered as a preferred fuel for energy by the major organs of the body like heart, brain, and kidneys. Carbohydrates can be divided in to 2 groups that are simple carbohydrates and complex carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates are metabolized and digested in the body quickly which cause blood sugar spike, however they are also famous to give instant energy in emergency situations like hypoglycemia. Complex acarbohydrates on the other hand get digested slowly in the body by releasing small amounts of glucose at a time. Common examples include whole cereals, grains, pulses, beans, and vegetables.

Proteins are required to build muscles in the body and are known as the building blocks of the body. They are also required for other body functions like synthesis of hormones, maintaining healthy bones, nails and hair, and connective tissue.

Fats or lipids are complex molecules composed of glycerol and fatty acids. Fats are often seen as culprits for weight gain and obesity, but some amount of fat is required for various body functions in the body. Excess fat is however stored in the body when not utilized.
Submitted by S M on April 13, 2008 at 11:59


Read more questions in Health Advice
Log In Here Close