Nutrients and their Functions carbohydrates facts

Nutrients and their Functions carbohydrates facts:

1. primary energy source

2. least expensive and most abundant of the energy nutrients

3. named for the chemical elements they are composed of CHO

Functions

1. provide energy each gram of CHO is 4 calories

2. body needs a constant energy supply

3. a half-day's supply of CHO's stored in liver & muscles for use as needed

4. stored form- glycogen (has protein-sparing function)

Protein-sparing action the primary function of proteins is to build & rebuild tissues. When enough CHO's are ingested (50-100 grams/day), proteins are spared to be used for primary function

Normal fat metabolism

1. without an adequate supply of CHO's, fat is metabolized to meet energy requirements

2. ketones are produced as a by-product of fat metabolism, because fat is not fully oxidized in cell

   can lead to coma, death, (need to get acid/base in balance)

3. ketosis may result condition in which acids called ketones accumulate in blood, upsets the

acid/base balance, results from insulin-dependent diabetes, starvation, extreme low CHO diet

can lead to coma, death