Energy Metabolism

Human beings requires enough energy to lead an active and healthy life.

Energy fulfils the following functions:

  - Maintenance of basal body functions (basal metabolism)

  - Physical activity

  - Growth and development in infants and children and    

       maintenance of pregnancy and lactation in women.

•An adequate and constant amount of energy must be made available to the body for cell survival and maintaining the following vital functions at optimal levels.

–Activity of the brain and the nervous system

–Pumping of heart and distribution of blood to supply oxygen and nutrients

–Liver function

–Excretory function of the kidney    

•The balance between how much energy is consumed and how much is expended.

•Positive balance is when intake exceeds expenditure and is associated with increases in body energy stores (weight gain).

•During negative balance, as in periods of starvation, body energy stores are depleted.

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