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May / June
2002
THE TRUTH
ABOUT CARBOHYDRATES
"If we eat wrongly, No doctor can cure
us; If we eat rightly,
No doctor is needed."
Victor G. TRocine circa 1930.
Did you know the brain and the nervous system, can only use
carbohydrates? Yes, that's true! Carbohydrates make up only 3% of
the body's organic matter, but play a crucial role in supplying energy
to the body. Also, fueling the brain and the nerve functions, blood
glucose is used, with no stored supply of this nutrient
There are three kinds of carbohydrates: monosaccharides
(sugars, such as glucose, fructose, and galactose). Fructose is
fruit sugar, generally a healthier sugar, because it comes wrapped in
fiber and plant chemicals found in plant foods. Also, found in honey, if
honey is uncooked or raw, contain valuable enzymes and minerals. Galactose
is produced by lactating animals. The body converts these two
monosaccharides into glucose. Glucose's job is to provided
energy to the body, for all functions.
Disaccharides are the joining of two simple sugars to form a double
sugar. Examples of these are sucrose, common table sugar, a refined
carbohydrate, not a good choice to ingest, for it is void of vitamins,
minerals, fiber and can havoc with your blood sugar levels. Maltose
composed of two glucose molecules, is formed by digestive metabolism. And
lactose is the chief sugar in cow's milk. Some people cannot break
lactose down and should avoid dairy products.
SIMPLE
SUGARS, NOT GOOD CARBOHYDRATES
The monosaccharides and disaccharides are the simple
sugars. They are all the added sugars in refined products, such as brown
sugar, corn syrup, invert sugar, sorbital, levulose, frutose, and
dextrose. Here in America, we sad to say, we eat about 50% of our dietary
carbs from simple sugar. Excessive consumption of sugar has been
cited for hormonal response for the body to store fat, it draws fluid from
the body into the intestinal tract and may cause stomach distress, such as
gas and bloating. When dietary sugar is ingested on a regular
basics, hyperglycemic can occur, known as diabetes mellitus. Diabetes
here in America ranks sixth in the primary cause of death. In
cultures that eat low to no simple sugars, diabetes is rare!
THE GOOD
CARBOHYDRATES
Polysaccharides means three or more sugars combine. This
is the state in which most NATURAL carbohydrates occur. These are the
starch, fiber, and glycogen. Starch has gotten a bad name, but it
holds some life saving
nutrients. It is a plant polysaccharides, found in corn, grains,
breads, cereals, beans, peas, and potatoes. If eaten in a natural state,
without any added sugar, fat, or salt, it is a good carb. Watch out
for the sugary cereals, white flour products, for they are robbed of their
nutrients, for so called, "better taste." Cellulose or
Fiber will save your life and protect you against six most deadly diseases
of the modern world!
These disease being: Cancer, heart disease, colon disease,
appendicitis (the most common abdominal surgery here in America, not found
in rural cultures), and obesity (Reuben David, M. D. The Save-Your
Life-Diet). These good carbs are a must for a disease preventing
regimen. The suggested dietary intake of fiber is about 35 grams of
fiber a day. The ratio should be insoluble fiber to soluble fiber about 3
to 1 intake. An easy way to think about this is for every 1,000
calories, you should get at least 15 grams of fiber. And for weight loss,
a high fiber diet is the key! You can eat more, without the fat and
cholesterol, lowering calories and you will get filled quicker because
fiber has a filling effect! With more and more data, confirming the
reality of phytonutrients providing phytotheraphy, these healing agents
only found in the plant complex carbohydrates, not in protein foods.
GLYCOGEN
Glycogen is an animal starch. Glycogen is not
presented in any large amount from the foods we eat. Instead, it is
synthesized from the foods we eat and stored for later use.
Glycogensis is glucose that is converted into glycogen, stored
energy.
THE GOOD
AND BAD CARBS
Now you know the difference between the lifesaving
carbohydrates and the life-killing carbohydrates.
NOT ALL
CARBOHYDRATES ARE CREATED EQUAL!
Never deprived your body of life saving carbs, truly they
will save your life!
Suggested reading:
"Sugar Blues," by William Duffy.
"The Save-Your- Life- Diet," by David Rueben, M. D. (the
most valuable book I have ever read, next to the BIBLE)!
"The doctor of the future will give no
medicine, but
will interest his patients in the care of the human
frame, in diet, and prevention of disease."
Thomas Edison 1874-1931
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