It is important for our body to receive and use certain nutrients. Among these nutrients are carbohydrates and fats. These two carbon-based organic compounds are greatly used by our bodies and essential to overall health. During digestion, our body performs a constant balance to attempt to distribute these nutrients as needed throughout the body. Our body relies heavily on carbohydrates and fats for energy. It is therefore important to provide your body with the right amount of calories from these elements. However, consuming too many or too few overall calories can be dangerous. These two macronutrients are often misunderstood and avoided by dieters, even though they do not necessarily lead to weight gain on their own. Weight gain is often caused by eating too much of the wrong foods. » (DoctorOz.com, 2013) By avoiding or minimizing carbohydrates and fats, excessive damage can be caused. What are carbohydrates? Carbohydrates are Latin for hydrated (watered) carbon and are found primarily in plant-based foods. Carbohydrates such as glucose are produced by photosynthesis. In this process, chlorophyll-containing plants use energy from the sun to absorb carbon dioxide and water through their roots. These plants release oxygen into the air while the remaining carbon and water remain in the plant as carbohydrates. Most carbohydrates are made up of some ratio of C6H12O6 (6 carbons and 6 waters). Carbohydrates can be divided into two groups, simple and complex. Simple carbohydrates (mono- and disaccharides) consist of one or two sugars, while complex carbohydrates (polysaccharides) contain more. What are fats? Fats are a type of lipid that dissolves in alcohol and other organic solvents but does not dissolve in water. (Fat Basics, ...... middle of document ...... olesterol?: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hbc/NutriStrategy Nutrient Nutrition Information , Vitamins and Minerals (2013). Retrieved from NutriStrategy: http://www.nutristrategy.com/nutritioninfo2.htmNutrition Made Incredibly Easy! Nutrition: Concepts and controversies. Thomson Wadsworth. Staff, MC (June 19, 2012). Retrieved from Healthy Lifestyle: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/weight-loss/in-. deep/calories/art-20048065Studios, A.R. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.chem4kids.com/files/bio_lipids.htmlTimothy C Crowe, P. i. Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition: http://www.atkinsexposed.org/atkins/133/low_carb_diets:_potential_short_and_long-term_health_implications.htm