Thursday, May 5, 2011

Macronutrients


The chemical compounds that humans consume in large quantities, and provide the majority of one's energy, are known as macronutrients.  There are three primary macronutrients, consisting of carbohydrate, fat, and protein. The protein group consists of amino acids, and is essential for the body because these proteins help to repair as well as build body tissue. In fact, protein can be described as the "building blocks" for muscle. The second group is carbohydrate, which is divided into starches and sugars.  The main function of carbohydrates is to provide the body with energy, as well as regulating blood glucose levels in the body. The last group is fats, which are divided into subcatorgies consisting of saturated fats, monounsaturated fats, polyunsaturated fats, and essential fatty acids.  Interestingly enough, without a certain amount of fat, the body wont be able to function correctly. Some of the functions of fat consist of providing the body with energy, vitamin absorption, and absorption of crucial nutrients that allow for the construction of various types of cells. 
However, people who are lactose intolerant are not able to tolerate dairy products, which means their diet is often lacking a rich supply of daily fats and energy. Therefore, these people need to intake macronutrients in forms other than dairy.  When someone is lactose intolerant their body lacks the production of the enzyme lactase, which is responsible for breaking down and providing the body with certain levels of sugar glucose. Instead, their bodies are unable to digest this lactose, and therefore it is left to remain in the small intestine. Due to this deficiency, it's crucial that those who are lactose intolerant are still able to receive macronutrients, just in a different form that the average human being. Diet choices may include drinking lactaid or soymilk instead of regular milk. Also, it's crucial for those who are lactose intolerant to be sure to maintain a high level of calcium in the body, which can be attained through vegetable consumption as well as calcium supplement pills.
In conclusion, carbohydrates, protein, and fat, are the three macronutrients that help to sustain human life. They each have various functions in the body, and without them the human body wouldn’t be able to function properly. A lactose intolerant person simply isn't able to break down dairy products, so their diet must be slightly altered in order to receive these essential macronutrients. Remember…… no matter how the body functions, without macronutrients there is bound to be a malfunction!

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