Makeripples

Carbohydrates...How much is enough?
What type of starches are good for me? Why do I eat crackers or candy when I am really hungry? Is it OK to eat pasta 4 nights a week?  If you are wondering the answers to these or other carbohydrate questions then read on… you are about to be educated.

Every person has different nutritional needs. These needs vary by level of activity as well as ability to digest and absorb the nutrients from the foods we eat.

Carbohydrates are needed to nourish the body and provide energy to complete daily activities. It is because of the high sugar concentration of refined carbohydrates, that we get into trouble.

Did you know that unused carbohydrates are stored in the body AS FAT! These fats are stored in tissues and organs and can cause strokes, heart attacks and increased blood pressure. The body can use some of this stored fat as energy later, but it may also just leave it in storage as fat. Carbohydrates coming into the body break down easier than the carbs that have been converted to fat and stored. This means we can leave the toxins and calories of stored fats untouched for years.

Carbohydrates are used for quick fuel for the body. If they can be digested.

When you think of Carbohydrates you should think that there are two different kinds:

• Complex Carbs (the good ones)
  • Whole grains
  • Potatoes
  • Corn
  • Brown rice or vegetable
• Simple Carbs (the bad ones)
  
  • Refined sugars like candy
  • Refined starches like white rice or white flour
  • Many breakfast cereals
  • Any processed foods such as cornstarch
  • Desserts
  • Canned fruits

• Carbohydrase
• Amylase

Both of these enzymes are included in Enzyme Solutions Formula #6.

Daily needs vary according to your level of activity, and ability to digest, however about 200 - 300 grams daily would be considered average for most people.

These are some of the signs that you are not digesting your carbs.

• Tender area under chin on either side of tongue connection. Rub between jaw line and tongue muscle. (Salivary glands)
• Dry conditions in the body. (ie: dry eyes, dry mouth or nose)
• Inability to relax
• Frequent irritated throat
• Muscle weakness
• Voice becomes high pitched under stress
• Startles easily

Does this sound like you or someone you know?

Simple sugars give very fast fuel. That is why you reach for sweets at the 3 PM tired time. The problem is that this energy is a very high interest loan. Simple Sugars:

• Cause rapid increase in blood sugar which taxes the pancreas, this is because it is called to create insulin to lower blood sugar.
• When sugar wears off and insulin is still working, the blood sugar drops too fast taxing the adrenal glands.
• It is the job of the adrenal glands to access stored energy from the liver to avoid blood sugar levels going too low. Stripping the nitrogen from stored protein to make it a usable energy source is taxing to the kidneys, as they are responsible for the excretion of the nitrogen.
• This yo-yo effect causes mood swings and varied energy levels.
• It also weakens the pancreas and adrenal glands.
• This imbalance makes you crave sugars creating a vicious cycle.
• It is also important to note that excess carbohydrates in the diet are turned to fat and stored.  The storage areas are in organs and blood vessels. This stored fat reduces oxygen flow to organs and can cause disease.

Complex carbohydrates on the other hand:

• Offer much needed dietary fiber to the body.
  • The American Cancer Society, The American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association all recommend diets of 25-35 grams of dietary fiber daily yet the average American only gets between 8 to 11 grams daily.
  • Soluble fibers like pectin and the thick broth of oatmeal or flax seeds.
    • Clean the bloodstream by diluting and binding with cholesterol, bile acids and carcinogens.
    • Brings moisture to the stools removing toxins and keeping stools soft formed daily.
    • Encourages digestion by improving peristalsis.
  • Insoluble fiber like psyllium hulls and bran are very important to cleaning the colon of toxins and constipation.
  • The low fiber diet of today’s society is linked to many diseases such as Crohn’s disease, obesity and cancer.
• Complex carbs offer energy at a steadier pace than simple sugars.
• Digest slowly through a multiple step process.
• Even complex carbs that are not burned get stored. So be careful here too. Think in terms of each gram of carbs being 4 calories of energy. A plain bagel is about 38 grams 38grams x 4 calories per gram =152 calories per bagel.
• 1 Cup brown rice = 46 grams of carbs or 184 calories.

The body needs complex carbohydrates. It is essential that you eat the right kind. This assures you proper fiber and energy with the least amount of stress on the body organs.  It is equally important that you digest what you eat avoiding storage as fat and toxins in a variety of organs in the body. It might be appropriate to say it isn’t what you eat that keeps you healthy, but rather what you digest.  The bottom line is that you need carbohydrates. You need the right kind as well as the right amount. And most of all you need to digest and burn what you eat. So go out and enjoy, but make sure it is a good carbohydrate and you will exercise enough to burn more than you store.