Summary

Understanding on how the food we eat works in the body in order to stay alive, we must know what is in the food itself. The foods that we eat contain calories - the main sources of energy in the body. The sources of calories are from Carbohydrates, Protein and Fat. The body's mechanism is set up to use glucose as the body's preferred energy source. The sources of glucose are from the food groups called Carbohydrates. While Protein and Fat can also be used as the energy source, they have a foremost and major function, and therefore, must be spared from their main energy roles. In contrast, the spare tires in automobiles should only be used in times of "flat tire."

The following summarizes the events that take place when food is eaten while describing the basic functions of macnutrients and micronutrients.

Carbohydrates

• Provide the body's energy in the form of glucose
• As glucose, it provides the brain's continuous supply of energy
• Growth and development (body organs, nerve cells and blood type or group)

Protein

• Cell production
• Growth and development (muscles, organs, brain and cells)
• Production of hormones (transporters and messengers)
• Source of reserve form of stored energy (muscle glycogen and blood proteins)
• Can be used as energy by recycling or breaking down muscle and blood proteins

Fat

• Source of reserved form of stored energy (adipose tissue or body fat)
• Can be used as energy by recycling or breaking down body fat and blood fat
• Growth and development (brain structure, cell membranes, such as skin)
• Used as "transport vehicles" for fat-soluble vitamins (A D E K)
• "Shock absorbers" to protect vital organs from trauma or injury
• "Insulators" to protect the body from extreme temperatures
• Production of enzymes (catalysts or "circuit breakers")

Vitamins and Minerals

• For strong immune function (protect against infection and diseases)
• For cell production and structures (cell multipliers)
• Transporters, messengers and activators

Water

• Body cells living environment
• Balances with electrolytes
• Blood component
• Balancing ability on body temperature

The mechanics of the body's ability to function (metabolism) is very much dictated by the source of nutrients eaten and the level of physical activity it is performed. For example, if your body uses only 2,000 calories a day to keep it going, then you should only eat 2,000 calories daily. Any extra calories eaten are then stored as body fat (adipose tissue) and blood fat (triglycerides). A good proportion of a balanced nutrition is this - you should eat no more than 45% of calories from Carbohydrates source, 15% of calories from Protein source and 25% of calories from Fat source.

Example: - the way to do this is multiply 2,000 calories by .45% then divide it by 4 (there are 4 calories per gram of Carbohydrates) equals the amount of total grams of Carbohydrates you need per day.

• 2,000 calories per day
• 225 grams Carbohydrates per day (45% from total calories)
• 75 grams Protein (15% from total calories)
• 56 grams Fat (25% from total calories)

Contrasting to the automobile again, if the gas tank only holds 12 gallons of gasoline, then you cannot put 13 gallons; and if your engine only requires 5 quarts of engine oil then you cannot put 7 quarts (even if you choose premium brands) because it will flood your engine and "bust" your head gasket. The radiator needs water to have a balancing act with coolant to keep the engine from overheating. Likewise, you cannot put diesel gasoline into an unleaded tank - because it will kill your whole engine.

As to the human body, what you eat should equate to what you would expend so that no excess amount of calories will end up as fat in two different compartments - the adipose tissues (body fat) and blood fat (triglycerides). Likewise, you cannot use large servings of any "good oils" such as olive oils because they are fat - fat is fat and you should not eat more than what your body can use. However, if you use the right amount of fat that your body needs, then use the good (unsaturated) kind of fat such as olive oil, canola oil or margarine. Water is as important to humans as to engines. Water regulates body temperature, does its balancing act on blood volume or components and electrolytes; and most importantly water provides healthy environment for the body cells.

Again, you have a car to drive then drive it carefully, maintain it and obey traffic rules. Likewise, you have a living body - let it function actively, don't abuse it, take care of it, and follow healthful guidelines.

-- Ofelia B. Mutia, M.S.,R.D.,L.D.

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