Breakdown of Carbs, Fats, and Proteins and their Storage and Usage

Explain the Breakdown of Carbohydrates

• digestion breaks carbohydrates down into glucose for immediate use

• if stored, the glucose is stored as glycogen and then at a later time when needed, it is reconverted back into glucose as an energy source

How is Glucose used in the Body?

• immediate use - glucose diffuses into the body cells and is used to meet their energy demand immediately

• stored - glucose is stored in the skeletal muscles as glycogen and is used when the body is working harder

• stored - some of the glucose is stored in the liver as glycogen and is used to maintain blood sugar levels

Explain the Breakdown of Fats/Lipids

• digestion breaks down the fats and some remain in the bloodstream as fatty acids, and other as triglycerides

• these are accumulated for storage in fatty or adipose tissue around our body

Explain the Breakdown of Proteins

• digestion breaks proteins into amino acids

• in extreme circumstances such as an ultra marathon or long periods of starvation, the body will be depleted of its carbohydrates and fat reserves and switch to proteins to keep producing ATP

• since protein makes up the cells and tissues, they body will have to break down its own cells to produce ATP which is known as self-destruction and is dangerous and not sustainable for long periods of time