Nutrition “U” Tutorial: Lesson 3

Posted 03/6/14 in [Nutrition "U" Tutorial] | 1 Comment

Lesson 3 — Your Metabolism

Go to the previous lesson here.

What you need to know before starting Lesson 3: A molecule called ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is what provides energy to the body so it can maintain itself. It also is the energy that allows the other systems of the body do their thing. ATP provides energy when the bonds that are holding the atoms of the molecule together are broken apart.

The wrap from Lesson 2 was broken down into nutrients. The nutrients are now being distributed throughout the body. The carbohydrates, fats and protein no longer exist per se, but have been broken down into basic products. These products enter a cell, and different parts within the cell will take in those items and make other molecules that will do all of the different things that need to be done to make the body function.

One particular part of the cell, the power stations called mitochondria, take in the basic products and expose them to oxygen. This exposure to the oxygen in the cell now fully breaks down all the products which entered them. What is produced by this cellular respiration is water, carbon dioxide, and energy.

The water produced by cellular respiration is eliminated through your skin and urination.

The carbon dioxide produced by cellular respiration will be picked up by the blood cells, taken to the lungs, and you will breathe it out.

The energy produced by cellular respiration helps to make a molecule of ATP. This molecule is atoms held together by chemical bonds. When these bonds break, it produces energy and that energy is used by the body. It can also be used to help make new molecules necessary to repair and regenerate your body tissues.

Everything that the cell just did is called metabolism. When someone comments on how that person has a “fast metabolism,” what they are (usually unknowingly) saying is that everything just explained happens more quickly in their cells than in other people’s cells, so they need more food than others to continue this cycle. And in reverse, when people want to lose weight, they try to stoke their metabolism to help with the need to burn more calories. This is done with exercise and certain foods, but can also be done with the safe and effective Metabolism Booster we sell here.