Abstract When it comes to nutrition, terms like carbohydrate, lipid, monosaccharides, protein and cholesterol can sound almost like a foreign language. With all the conflicting reports of what affects ones body and what does harm, it is no wonder that people are so confused. The paper shows, however, that the importance of these substances is so vital that by understanding what they are, as well as how they are used by our bodies can certainly benefit our health and overall well being.
From the Paper "By definition, a carbohydrate is group of chemical compounds that exist when hydrogen and oxygen (H2O) are then combined with carbon (Ed., Encarta). Carbohydrates are the largest group of organic compounds found in nature (Encarta). Humans, animals, plants and bacteria all use carbohydrates, and the uses for them varies depending on the organism using them. Plants use them for structural uses ? as in the cellulose and hemicellulose that are their main structural elements (Encarta). The cell coatings of the connective tissues in vertebrate animals have carbohydrates in them; both animals and plants use various forms of carbohydrates to store energy (Encarta). Chitin is a carbohydrate, and is the primary ingredient for the exoskeleton of invertebrate animals (Encarta)."
