Nutrition Values

(1) Carbohydrate is the direct fuel or source of energy for common cell. It is prefered as fuel since:

Having maximum O₂ in its molecule, it requires least amount of oxygen for its oxidation.

It can be used also anaerobically for energy production.

(2) Fat is preferred as stored food and the secondary fuel for its highest caloric value. It has no limitation of storage. Fatty food is suitable for physical labours, athletes, mountaineer (trekking), army soldiers.

(3) Protein is mainly used as building material, modulator, regulator, carrier (catalyst), enzymes, hormone, mediator of physiological processes, necessary for growth, repair, regeneration etc.

As fuel it is the last choice, requires involvement of liver and can be used only aerobically.

With the deficiency of protein various abnormalities occur in the body.

PEM (Protein Energy Malnutrition)

Retardation of growth and regeneration, thinning of bone, poor disease resistance, upset of physiological process (improper digestion) diarrhoea, etc.

Marasmus

Protein calori deficiency, generally occurs in children below one year of age. This is due to (a) if mother bears another child (b) if mother is malnutrioned. In this condition baby has no fat

below skin hence gives skiny or bony look. Other symptoms are like PEM. There is, no oedema/swelling.

Kwashiorkar

If only protein deficiency occurs in child above 1 year age. They have fat below skin, thin bones and other types of PEM symptoms; oedema/swelling occurs, also called “Pigeon-chest

look” disease for small chest and enlarged abdomen.