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Energy – the fuel for the body In order to build biomolecules and sustain life, your body needs energy. The body gets its energy from the breakdown of nutrients like glucose, amino acids and fatty acids. These are also known as carbohydrates, fats and proteins (or macronutrients). Carbohydrates are seen as the fuel for the body. Our bodies can only absorb monosaccharides (glucose, galactose, or fructose), the single units of sugars and starches. Once absorbed through the small intestines into the portal vein, and then circulated into the bloodstream through the liver as blood glucose, our bodies can put glucose to work in three ways:
Macronutrients Just keep in mind that it takes all three macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein and fat) in the proper amounts to keep energy levels at there best. Always be sure to take in some carbohydrates and protein an hour before exercise and some more thirty minutes after, taking in your fats well before and well after exercise. Vitamins Apart from these macronutrients the body also needs micronutrients. They are also known as vitamins or minerals. With the reduced amounts of these vitamins in our foods, because of over processing, we have more need than ever to supplement our foods with vitamins. Nutrition for energy There are many vitamins and herbs that may help with increasing energy. A small selection can be found below. |
