Carbohydrates, found in spaghetti, bread, cereal, rice, potaoes, doughnuts, candy, most fruits and vegetables, and other foods, are our source of ready energy : They contribute approximately 50 percent of the body`s energy needs and are its most economical energy source.
They include two major types : sugars and starches. (Cellulose is also a carbohydrate, but since it is a nonnutrient, it will not be considered here).
Carbohydrates are less complex compounds than proteins, and they can be burned (oxidized) in the body much more efficiently than either proteins or fats.
They are broken down in digestion into chemicals known as simple sugars, which are then further converted by the liver into glucose.
Some of this glucose gose right into the bloodstream and is directly used by all the cells in the body for energy.
Some glucose remains stored in the liver and muscles as a substance called glycogen, ready for immediate release into the bloodstream should blood glucose levels fall too low.
Some glucose remains stored in the liver and muscles as a substance called glycogen, ready for immediate release into the bloodstream should blood glucose levels fall too low.
Excess glucose - that which is neither burned as energy nor stored as glycogen - is converted to substances known as fatty acids, such as triglycerides, which are then stored in fat tissue.
In addition to fulfilling our energy requirements, our bodies also need carbohydrates to utilize fat efficiently. If an individual consumes less than 125 milligrams of carbohydrate per day, the body will not be able to burn fat from fat stores completely.
