What are major functions of carbohydrates

Carbohydrates have six major functions within the body: Providing energy and regulation of blood glucose. Sparing the use of proteins for energy. Breakdown of fatty acids and preventing ketosis.

Carbohydrates have six major functions within the body: Providing energy and regulation of blood glucose. Sparing the use of proteins for energy. Breakdown of fatty acids and preventing ketosis.

Glucose is the only sugar used by the body to provide energy for its tissues. Therefore, all digestible polysaccharides, disaccharides, and monosaccharides must eventually be converted into glucose or a metabolite of glucose by various liver enzymes. Because of its significant importance to proper cellular function, blood glucose levels must be kept relatively constant.

Among the enormous metabolic activities the liver performs, it also includes regulating the level of blood glucose. During periods of food consumption, pancreatic beta cells sense the rise in blood glucose and begin to secrete the hormone insulin. Insulin binds to many cells in the body having appropriate receptors for the peptide hormone and causes a general uptake in cellular glucose. In the liver, insulin causes the uptake of glucose as well as the synthesis of glycogen, a glucose storage polymer. In this way, the liver is able to remove excessive levels of blood glucose through the action of insulin.