Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) Practice Exam

Which nutrient is important for energy production in the body?

1. Proteins

2. Vitamins

3. Fats

4. Carbohydrates

The correct answer is: Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates play a crucial role in energy production within the body. They are the body's primary source of energy, as they are efficiently converted into glucose, which cells use to produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate). This process occurs through glycolysis, where carbohydrates are broken down to generate energy required for various physiological functions and activities. While fats and proteins can also provide energy, carbohydrates are preferred because they can be metabolized more quickly, providing a readily available fuel source. Fats are utilized more for energy during prolonged exercise, while proteins are primarily used for growth, repair, and maintenance of tissues, and not typically as a primary energy source. Although vitamins are essential for numerous bodily functions, including metabolic processes, they do not provide energy themselves; they often serve as co-factors for enzyme reactions rather than a direct energy source. Thus, carbohydrates are fundamentally the most important nutrient for immediate energy production in the body.