Carbohydrates: Sugars

Carbohydrates: Sugars
Sugars, important in nutrition, consist of monosaccharides, having the general formula C6H12O6, and disaccharides, having the general formula C12H22O11.

Although the monosaccharides consists of 3-carbon sugars (trioses), 4 carbon sugars (tetroses), 5-carbon sugars (pentoses), and 6-carbon sugars (hexoses), only the latter are important in human nutrition as sources of energy.

Glucose, a 6-carbon sugar, is one of the simplest carbohydrates found in foods. While many foods contain traces of glucose, it is found in significant amounts only in fruits, such as grapes. Fructose, also a 6-carbon sugar, is found in fruits and honey. Both of these sugars can be utilized by the body as a source of energy.

Sucrose (the ordinary table sugar derived from sugar and beets) is a 12-carbon sugar that is broken down in the intestine to glucose and fructose, hence utilized as a source of energy.

Lactose, the 12-carbon sugar present in milk, is broken down in the intestine to glucose and galactose (6-carbon sugars), both of which can be used as sources of energy.
Carbohydrates: Sugars

Amino Acids Function in Our Body

Amino Acids Function in Our Body
Glycine
Glycine is utilized by the liver to detoxify certain components of foods, such as benzoic acid. It may also be involved in the synthesis of several body components, such as bile acids. Glutamic acid may act as a source material for the synthesis of other amino acids.

Histidine
Histidine is needed for growth and for repair of human tissues and is converted to a substance that stimulates the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach to facilitate gastric function.

Proline and hydrioxyproline
Proline and hydrioxyproline contain a structure found in hemoglobin (blood pigment) and in the cytochromes (compound essential for oxidation and reduction reactions in the body).

Arginine
Arginine is required for the detoxification of ammonia and amine resulting in the production of urea. It is often classified as nonessential because it can be synthesized from other amino acids in the body although, too often, in insufficient amounts.

Phenylalanine and tyrosine
Phenylalanine and tyrosine are used by the body to make the hormones adrenaline and thyroxine and are also involved in the formation of melanin, a pigment present in the skin, hair and part of the eye.

Tryptophan
Tryptophan is an amino acid from which a substance involved in the constriction of blood vessel is formed, and is present in components of blood involved in clotting.

Cystine, cysteine and methionine
Cystine, cysteine and methionine are source of a part of the structure of insulin and the keratin of hair and are involved with oxidation-reduction reactions in the body.

While protein eaten in excess of that required for growth or cellular repair may be utilized as a source of energy, it is not considered that they are efficiently utilized for this purpose.
Amino Acids Function in Our Body