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The Body 's Energy From Four Key Fuels

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The body derives it 's energy from four key fuels 1) glucose 2)proteins 3) free fatty acids 4) ketones. The primary determinant of the fuel utilized is the availability of carbohydrate. The body has three storage units that can be utilized during times of calorie deprivation: 1) carbohydrate, which is sotred in liver and the muscles 2) protein, which can be converted to glucose in the liver 3) fat, which is stored primarily in adipose tissue. Under specific conditions a fourth fuel comes into play -ketones which are derived from the incomplete breakdown of free fatty acids. Under normal dietary conditions ketones play a minimal role in energy prodcition. During times of Low carb dieting or starvation diets ketones impact energy production significantly.

When looking at storage of bodily fuels triglyceride is the most abundant. Carrbohydrate stiores are minimal compared to protein and fat. Although stored protein could possibly fuel the body longer than stored carbohydrates too much reliance and protein for energy could result in death. The average person has enough body fat to live for months without food. There are numerous documented cases where morbidly obese patients were fasted for up to one year.

In gereral the body utilizes the fuel that is most abundant in the bloodstream. As an example when glucose elevates in the bloodstream the body will utilize mostly glucose. When glucose levels begin to lower the body uses less glucose. When decreasing carbohydrate

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