CBSE BoardEnglish MediumSTD 12 CommercePhysical EducationSports And Nutrition5 Marks
Question
What do you mean by macro nutrients? Exprain about any four macro nutrients.
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Answer
Macro nutrients constitute the majority of individuals' diet. Hence, it can be said that they are taken in Iarge amounts. They supply energy and are needed for growth and maintenance of the body.They include carbohydrates, proteins, fats and water:
Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are the most important source of energy. They contain the elements of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. The very first part of the name 'carbo' means that they contain carbon. The second part of the name 'hydr' means that they contain hydrogen. The third part of the name 'ate' means that they contain oxygen. In all carbohydrates, the ratio of hydrogen atoms to oxygen atoms is 2 : 1 just like water, i.e., $H_2O.$ Carbohydrates are actually the organic compounds that are important for different digestive operations in our body.
Proteins: Proteins contain-carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and sometimes sulphur. Proteins are very large molecules, so they cannot be directly absorbed into our blood. So they are turned into amino acids by our digestive system. There are 23 amino acids. Out of these, 9 amino acids must be available in the diet. These amino acids are used by the body to create blood, muscles, nails, skin, hair and tissues in internal organs. Proteins form new tissues, repair the broken tissues, regulate balance of water and acids, transport oxygen and nutrients and make antibodies. Excessive use of proteins in diet, especially animal proteins can result in heart diseases, osteoporosis, stroke and kidney stones. Body requires only 0.36 grams ofprotein per pound of the ideal body weight. If proteins are not taken in appropriate amount in diet, then we may suffer from deficiency diseases. Marasmus and kwashiorkor are protein deficiency diseases in children.
Fats: Fats contain carbon, oxygen and hydrogen in the percentage of 76, 12 and 12, respectively. Fats are necessary for many body functions. Fats keep us warm and protect our organs. Fats also help in the production of hormones. Fats can be classified according to their structures. Different types of fats have different characteristics and they react in different ways inside the body. There are three different groups of fats in diet, that is, saturated fats, polyunsaturated fats and mono-unsaturated fats. The intake of saturated fats increases the chances of heart diseases, due to the increase of cholesterol in the blood. Such fats are found in fast foods, pastries and biscuits. The polyunsaturated fats and mono-unsaturated fats help in lowering the blood cholesterol. The polyunsaturated fats are slightly better than mono-unsaturated fats. Fats are essential in diet but the quantity of intake should be limited.
Water: Water is a compound which is made up of hydrogen and oxygen elements in the ratio 2 : 1. Our blood also contains 90% of water. Water helps in the transportation of nutrients to the cells of the body. It is also important for the excretion of waste products. It also regulates the body temperature. It is vital for various chemical reactions taking place in our body. It is essential for the body's metabolism. UNICEF says that water is not included in macro nutrients but USDA, that is, United States Dietary Association, includes it as a part of macro nutrients. As a matter of fact, macro nutrients are consumed in large amount. Water must be taken in large quantity, therefore, it can be considered a part of macro nutrients.
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