FOOD & ENERGY
Energy is essential to human life. Our energy levels all depend on the foods we eat, the quality of food, and the nutrients we receive. Organic, seasonal, local, whole foods provide the best sources of energy, giving our bodies the vital nutrients of vitamins and minerals needed. Some foods even provide phytonutrients that protects our cells, keeping them healthy. Foods that are processed, chemically altered, and unrefined, lack macro and micro nutrients and deplete the energy production and metabolic process in our bodies. SAD is an example of how these foods lack the essential nutrients needed due to poor quality and processed foods. Other factors also include the levels of stress, how we sleep, chronic illness, medications, etc...
Energy production begins at the cellular level. Foods that are made up of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins aka macronutrients are used to provide energy. After we eat foods with these three main components, digestion and absorption begins and the food molecules are then taken to your cells. This is called the Mitochondria. In the Mitochondria, cells get the energy and nutrients from the food molecules. Our bodies require both macro and micronutrients to be able to grow, properly develop, and function optimally.
Macronutrients make up Carbohydrates, Fats, and Proteins. They make up the bulk of the food we consume. They are the “energy providing chemicals” that help us carry out activities of our daily lives. They are vital for every function we perform. Macronutrients are important because they carry out specific roles in the body such as keeping the immune system strong, balancing our hormones, weight management, and other functions. Our digestive system converts Carbohydrates into glucose molecules, which is also known as blood sugar. Some of the glucose is used for energy, while the rest is stored in the liver to be used later when needed. Carbohydrates can be simple (found in fruits and vegetables) or complex (found in legumes and grains). Fats are also an essential part of our diets. Not only do they provide energy, but they also absorb specific nutrients and maintains our body temperature. Fats broken down into fatty acids. Fats are found in avocados, oils, nuts, seeds, and animal products. Proteins are the last group. They are broken down into amino acids. Proteins help to speed up the chemical reaction in the body and hormones. Insulin is an example of a hormone that helps to regulate the activity of cells or organs. Proteins carry out other functions such as transporting materials and nutrients throughout the body, forming red blood cells, antibodies and enzymes. Proteins are found in beans, animal products, eggs, tofu, nuts.
Micronutrients are the vitamins and minerals required by your body for healthy metabolism, tissue and organ functioning, and development. They help keep our bodies strong, fight disease, and keep our minds sharp. These include zinc, magnesium, iron, copper, iodine, manganese, potassium (ex: bananas), calcium (ex: spinach), Vitamin B12 (ex: eggs), selenium, Vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, C , D, E etc.. Micronutrient deficiency is caused by inadequate intake of foods rich in micronutrients, infection, parasites. A large number of individuals are deficient in Vitamin A, iron, iodine, zinc, and folate. Eating foods such as sweet potatoes, carrots, dark leafy greens, pomegranate, garlic, sea vegetables, organic yogurt, cranberries, pumpkin seeds, asparagus, cruciferous vegetables provide good sources of vitamin A, iron, folate, iodine, and zinc.
