What is a Carbohydrate?
A carbohydrate is any of a large group of organic compounds occurring in foods and living tissues including sugars, starch and cellulose.
Where is it in the body?
The body stores carbohydrates in the muscles & liver.
Carbs. are taken in the form of glucose, which is converted to glycogen & stored in those body parts.
The red blood cells & the brain need glucose as a source of energy.
How does it Function? (what it does for you)
Carbohydrates have 5 major functions within the body:
- Energy supply, particularly for the brain in the form of glucose.
- Avoiding the breakdown of amino acids for energy.
- Avoiding ketosis from the breakdown of fatty acids.
- Cellular & recognition
- Dietary fiber