Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are called carbohydrates because they are essentially hydrates of carbon (i.e. they are composed of carbon and water and have a composition of (CH₂O)_n

The major nutritional role of carbohydrates is to provide energy and digestible carbohydrates provide 4 kilocalories per gram. No single carbohydrate is essential, but carbohydrates do participate in many required functions in the body.

Carbohydrates include:

Monosaccharides

Disaccharides

Oligosaccharides

Starches

Cellulose

Gums

Carbohydrates include simple sugars:

Disaccharides

Oligosaccharides contain two or more simple sugars. Common disaccharides include

Sucrose = Glucose + Fructose

Lactose = Glucose + Galactose

Maltose = Glucose + Glucose

Insulin

• Hormone produced in the pancreas

• Directs cells to remove glucose from blood

• Increases lipid metabolism

• Body tries to keep blood glucose constant

Regulation of Blood Glucose Levels – Critical

Insulin – hormone secreted by the pancreas in response to high/blood glucose concentration. It assists cells in drawing glucose from blood

Glucagon – hormone secreted from the pancreas that stimulates the liver to release glucose into the blood when blood glucose concentration dips.

Diabetes

• Insulin is not produced or cells do not respond to the insulin

• Type 1 diabetes also known as juvenile diabetes

• Type 2 diabetes is also known as adult onset diabetes

Type 1

• Usually in children

• Can be a genetic component

• Usually following a severe viral infection

• A form of autoimmune disease

• Insulin producing cells are destroyed    

Type 2

• Genetic factor

• Obesity

• Lack of exercise

Complications

Cardiovascular disease
Skin problems
Kidney disease
Gum disease and infection
Nerve damage
High blood pressure
Foot problems and amputation
Eye disease
Stroke

Relative Sweetness of Some Sugars

Carbohydrate Myths

Excess sugar/carbohydrate cause
Diabetes
Hyperactivity
Obesity
Heart disease

Lactose intolerance

Lack of the enzyme that hydrolyzes lactose

Lactose is not absorbed in small intestine

Passes to large intestine where microorganisms can metabolize it.

Symptoms include gas, diarrhea and cramps

Ability to digest lactose decreases with age

Oligosaccharides

Three or more sugars

Raffinose Galactose - Glucose - Fructose

Stachyose Galactose -Galactose-Glucose-Fructose

Flatulence factors

“Beano” Contains alpha Galactosidase

Polysaccharides

May contain hundreds or thousands of sugar units. Some contain linkages that are not digestible.

Glycogen

Branched polymer of glucose.

Serves as an energy reserve in animals. Is often called “animal” starch.

Provides a quickly available source of energy.

Most people store between 1,500 and 2,000 Kcal in the form of glycogen.

Fiber

Complex carbohydrates that are either not digested or partially digested are fiber.

There have been several studies that suggest that diets lacking in fiber may be related to a number of human diseases.

The new labeling law has specific guidelines for labeling fiber.

Types

Cellulose

Polymers of glucose that are chemically linked in such a way that humans and most other animals can not digest it.

Cellulose serves as a structural component in plants.

Cellulose can be classified with other non-digestible polysaccharides as fiber.

Fiber Health Claims Allowed

Fiber containing grains, fruits & veggies - Prevent Cancer

Fiber containing grains, fruits & veggies - Prevent Coronary Heart Disease

Soluble fiber from oat and psyllium - Prevent Coronary Heart Disease

Whole grain products prevent cancer of Lung, colon, esophagus and stomach

Tooth decay

Some important factors related to tooth decay include:

Frequency of exposure to food

Time of exposure

Stickiness

Amount of liquid

Flow of saliva

Composition of saliva

A genetic component

Presence of fluoride.

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