Funtional Energy

Functional Energy: Fatty Acids (Fats) vs. Amino Acids (Proteins) Fats, proteins, and carbohydrates are sources of energy for the body. Although carbohydrates are the largest source of energy, fats and proteins, however are just important, they contain essential amino chains not found in carbohydrates and are critical to Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) manufacturing on a cellular level. ATP takes the chemical energy from the food to the mitochondria to transform it into energy for the cells. (Dictionary.com Unabridged definition, 2013) Without essential fatty acids the mitochondria will not produce enough energy to maintain a healthy body. The mitochondria are long or round bodies that are found in the cytoplasm of a cell that produce energy from the ATP using the stored food. (Karp, 2008) Fatty acids also play a vital role in energy production. Functional energy is derived from fats and proteins which are vital for tissue repair as well as the support of the immune system. Essential to a healthy body, is to know what fatty acids and amino acids are and their sources. Fatty acid are a large group of organic acids, especially those found in animal and vegetable fats and oils. Fatty acids are mainly composed of long chains of hydrocarbons ending in a carboxyl group. A saturated fatty acid is an example of carbon atoms that have a single bond between them; however, an unsaturated fat has double bonds. Amino acids are known as the building blocks of proteins, they contain at least one carboxyl group and at least one Amine group. They perform many important functions such as: building cells, protecting the body from viruses or bacteria, repairing damaged tissue and carrying oxygen throughout the body. Replenishing amino acids immediately following exercise is critical to strengthening the muscles that were stretched, and also plays an important role in fat loss. There are two kinds of amino acids: essential and non-essential. Essential amino acids are those that