Micro and Macronutrients and What They Do For our Body

There are six classes of nutrients that our body requires; water, carbohydrate, fat, protein, vitamins, and minerals. We consume macronutrients and micronutrients on a daily basis. The majority of the food we eat is called macronutrients. Macronutrients are protein, fat, and carbohydrates and they are what we consume in large amounts and are what provide us with energy. Macronutrients are energy-yielding nutrients that constantly have to be replaced in the body. Carbohydrates and fats are most importantly what provide the body with the most energy. Protein also provides energy but it also provides materials that assemble structures and parts of the body tissues.

Micronutrients are the vitamins, elements, and minerals that we consume in small amounts. These nutrients are not energy producing nutrients. They work to regulate and form some structures of the body. Vitamins and minerals work to assist in processes in the body such as moving muscles and bones, healing wounds, digesting food, growing tissues, removal of waste, and help to absorb the energy from the macronutrients.

Of all the nutrients I want to discuss how macronutrients are digested, absorbed, and metabolized in the body. Carbohydrates are not all the same and do not all do the same things to the body. There are simple and complex carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates are the carbs that are turned into sugar and provide glucose for the body. Simple sugars are not all the same nutritionally. Fruits work very differently in the breakdown and absorption process than soda and candy; however, both of them provide the body with glucose. Complex carbohydrates are the starch and fiber that provide the body with energy, glycogen, glucose and digestion. Glucose from carbohydrates are what do most of the fueling for the body. Complex carbohydrates are the best carbohydrates to consume to not only fuel the body, but also provide good digestion with fiber and a good source of glucose.

Protein also provides energy, however it is not the best source of energy. Protein works to rebuild the protein in our bodies, as we are constantly losing it, it needs to be replenished. Protein feeds our muscles and tissues and most of all gives us amino acids. Our body can only produce a small amount of essential amino acids therefore we need to consume protein that provide us with the rest of the amino acids we need. These amino acids are what build the protein in the body and are used in a number of ways.

Lastly fats are also a source of energy however they are not only producers of energy they are best at helping store the energy to use when the body needs it. So when you feel like your starving but you still have the energy to finish that hike, just remember that the fat you consumed before has packed that extra energy just for times like this. The best fats to consume to do the job are unsaturated fats. According to the course text, in the stomach fats are separate from other foods and when the fat moves through the small intestine bile emulsifies the fats and enzymes digest them. These fats are more easily move through the body and provide the appropriate function without the risks of disease.

Sizer, F. & Whitney, E. (2013).  Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies (13th ed.).  Mason, OH: Cengage Learning.