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Understanding Obesity

Normal Digestion

All foods are composed of a combination of three major components, called macronutrients:

1. Carbohydrates
2. Protein
3. Fat

Each of these macronutrients are composed of smaller functional units. Carbohydrates are chains of glucose and other sugars. Proteins are chains of amino acids. Fats (triglycerides) are chains of fatty acids. There are also smaller, microscopic amounts of vitamins (A, B, C, D, E, K etc.) and minerals (iron, copper, selenium etc.), known as micronutrients.

Digestion breaks down macronutrients for absorption into the bloodstream. This provides both energy (calories) and the raw materials needed (proteins, fats) to build cells. Certain macronutrients must be obtained from our diet because we cannot make them ourselves. There are called essential amino acids (such as arginine and leucine) and essential fatty acids (such as omega 3 and omega 6 fats), but there are no essential carbohydrates. Without these essential nutrients, we would get sick.

Each of the three macronutrients is metabolized differently. Carbohydrates, chains of sugars such as glucose and fructose are broken into individual sugars for absorption. Refined carbohydrates (eg. flour) are absorbed much more quickly into the blood stream than unrefined carbohydrates that may still contain significant amounts of proteins, fats and fibre.

Cancer Paradigms

Digestion breaks dietary proteins into its component parts, called amino acids. These are circulated to the liver, where they are used to repairing and rebuilding cellular proteins. The first job of these amino acids is NOT for use as energy. These are used to build proteins like blood cells, bone, muscle, connective tissue, skin etc. However, if you eat excessive protein, the body has no way to store these extra amino acids. Instead, these are changed…