Question

Discuss the normal metabolism of macronutrients in the body (CHO, PRO, and FAT). Choose one of the disorders below and discuss how the metabolism of each macronutrient (CHO, PRO, and FAT) is altered.

(Liver disease)

Answer 1

Excess or unutilized energy is stored as fat or glycogen for later use.Carbohydrate metabolism begins in the mouth, where the enzyme salivary amylase begins to break down complex sugars into monosaccharides. These can then be transported across the intestinal membrane into the bloodstream and then to body tissues.

Protein metabolism denotes the various biochemical processes responsible for the synthesis ofproteins and amino acids (anabolism), and the breakdown of proteins by catabolism. The steps of proteinsynthesis include transcription, translation, and post translational modifications.

Fats (or triglycerides) within the body are ingested as food or synthesized by adipocytes or hepatocytes from carbohydrate precursors (Figure 1).Lipid metabolism entails the oxidation of fatty acids to either generate energy or synthesize new lipids from smaller constituent molecules.

The abnormal metabolism of carbohydrates and fats due to an imbalance in hepatic metabolism canresult in insulin resistance in insulin sensitive tissues such as the liver. An imbalance in hepatic metabolism mayresult from the disease which causeshepatic dysfunction.