When it comes to making choices for the overall health of our bodies, food plays one of the most predominant roles. While poor nutrition can lead to obesity, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, and a host of illness and disease, good nutrition can be the most important tool to achieving optimum health and ideal weight.
Good nutrition comes in the form of a healthy diet; a diet focused around whole, natural foods such as fresh fruits, green leafy vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and low-fat dairy. A healthy diet should resemble a colorful palette – deep, vibrant colors that reflect the concentration of vitamins and minerals essential to good health.
Protein, a part of good nutrition, can be found in foods such as lean meats, whole nuts, and soy products. Healthy carbohydrates are found in whole grain breads, sweet potatoes, brown rice, and wheat pasta. Low-fat dairy provides adequate reserves of calcium. And Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits. Many people choose to eat only organic foods as a way to minimize additives and ensure that the foods they eat contain the highest nutritional value possible.
Additionally, experts agree that good nutrition includes adequate hydration. The drinking of at least eight glasses of water a day flushes the body of toxins, speeds metabolism, aids digestion, and acts as a natural appetite suppressant.
In combination with this diet regime, it is essential to minimize – and even avoid altogether – foods that are fried, processed, and high in salt, sugar, and saturated fats.
In the search for optimum nutrition it is important to first analyze the diet you currently follow. Look for ways to gradually add more natural foods to your diet and minimize those foods that lack fundamental nutrients and are highly caloric. If you find it difficult to make these adjustments, it may be beneficial to work with a nutritionist who can tailor a diet to your particular lifestyle.
Ultimately, nutrition that positively affects health, vitality, and longevity, means a commitment to a varied diet of vitamin and mineral packed food.
Michelle Bery
http://www.articlesbase.com/nutrition-articles/nutrition-fuel-for-our-bodies-122118.html
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John S
December 18, 2009 at 11:07 am
Can someone explain how the body uses fuel and when (fat/protein/carbohydrates)-in layman’s language?
I am interested in walking/jogging and I would like a nutrition/biology expert to explain to me how my body uses its fuel sources. I am trying to lose 90 lbs within a year 1/2 and want to know what to eat and when for fuel and best calorie deficit techniques.
dietersunite
December 18, 2009 at 4:09 pm
The human body needs energy to power muscles and to fuel the millions of chemical and biological reactions which take place throughout our system every day. This energy comes from the food we consume in our diet. Food consists mainly of water and three types of nutrient – protein, dietary fats and carbohydrate – which are found in varying proportions in most foods. These nutrients are broken down, digested and absorbed by the body in the gastrointestinal tract, running from the mouth to the anus. Each of these macronutrients is processed and absorbed by the digestive system in different ways.
Carbohydrate is the major source of energy for the body. This is because, of all nutrients, it converts most readily to glucose which is the body’s preferred fuel. When we eat carbohydrate, it is converted to glucose in the digestive tract and distributed via the liver to cells throughout the body for use as energy. Once our immediate energy needs are satisfied, the remaining carb glucose is handled in one of two ways. Either it is converted to liquid glycogen (a temporary source of readily available energy) and stored in the liver or muscles. Or, it is converted into fatty acids by the liver and stored in adipose cells (fat-cells) around the body.
Protein is broken down into amino acids in the stomach and small intestine, then distributed via the liver to cells throughout the body for a variety of uses included cell formation and repair. Some surplus protein amino acids are kept circulating in the bloodstream, the remainder is either converted into a type of simple sugar and used as energy, or (like carbohydrate) is converted to fatty acid and stored in adipose cells.
Dietary fat is broken down into fatty acids and glycerol by the stomach and small intestine. It is then distributed (in the form of triglycerides) via the lymphatic system and bloodstream to the cells for a variety of specialized uses or, in the absence of sufficient carbs, for energy. However, since dietary fat cannot be converted into protein and only about 5 percent (the glycerol part) is convertible into glucose, and because dietary fat is not the body’s preferred choice of fuel, a significant amount ends up being stored as body fat in the adipose tissue.
If energy is required suddenly, the body first uses up its glycogen reserves. After this, it converts the body fat in the adipose cells into energy by a catabolic process called lipolysis. During lipolysis, triglycerides within the adipose cells are acted upon by a complex enzyme called hormone sensitive lipase (HSL). This converts the triglyceride into fatty acids and glycerol. The fatty acids are then transported via the bloodstream to tissues for use as energy, or (along with the glycerol) taken to the liver for further processing.
References :
From an article posted on my weight loss support forum.
Sai2301
December 18, 2009 at 4:11 pm
when we consume food,the digestion enzymes break it down to tiny molecules that are absorbed by the intestines. Its then sent to the internal organs for storage(especially protein) and under the layer of our skin(thats why fat creates flabs)..the carbs are either used in muscle oxidation to create energy or turned into glycogen and stored as fat…the body is never bothered at all how much food comes in,for the body its all fuel,so it keeps taking in as long as you give it!
I think theres more than enough information about foods for fat loss online especially in the resolved questions section.The body uses fuel from carbs to burn off fat when we do cardio because cardio increases body temperature and oxidation of carb/fat will create water to stabilize the temperature.Its just that the process happens slowly and when our esophagus(the pathway from the mouth/throat to the tummy gets dehydrated it creates an uncomfortable feeling,so drinking water is the only way to NOT feel dehydrated,since internal rehydration is comparatively slow.
Even 30 minutes of brisk walking a day will be enough as far as exercise is concerned,but you may increase it to an hour and incorporate it with weights,yoga,pilates and also do other forms of workouts like martial arts & dance or other forms of cardio like swimming or cross country/eliptical to avoid boredom.
References :
a humble opinion