Carbohydrates in the body and diet Flashcards
(37 cards)
Why is Glucose is our primary fuel?
- Glucose needed to burn fat efficiently
- Maintain normal blood glucose levels
- Excess glucose is stored
Why do we use glucose for energy?
- Liver glycogen
- Muscle glycogen
- Sparing body protein
- Preventing ketosis
What is liver glycogen?
Maintain normal blood glucose levels
What is muscle glycogen?
It fuels muscle activity
What is sparing body protein?
Adequate carbohydrates prevent body from making glucose from body proteins
Why is ketosis?
Ketone bodies -> ketosis -> dehydration
-Body needs a minimum of 50 to 100 grams of carbohydrate/day to prevent ketosis
Why do we have to regulate blood glucose?
To maintain an adequate supply for cells
Controlled by hormones:
- Insulin = Key
- Glucagon = Breaks down glycogen to glucose
- Epinephrine = “Fight or flight” hormone
- Glycemic index
Glycemic index?
- Different foods vary in their effect on blood glucose levels
- Measures the effect of food on blood glucose levels
How do you regulate High Blood Glucose?
*High blood glucose *
Step 1: insulin is released
Step 2: insulin stimulates cells to take up glucose from blood
Step 3: Insulin stimulates liver and muscle cells to store glucose as glycogen.
How do you regulate Low Blood Glucose?
Step 1: Glucagon is released
Step 2: Glucagon stimulates to break down glycogen to glucose.
Step 3: Glucagon stimulates liver cells to make glucose from amino acids.
What is diabetes?
- Disorder of carbohydrate metabolism
- After digestion, glucose passes into blood and into cells.
- Requires insulin
What is Hyperglycemia?
Persistent high blood glucose levels
- Glucose unable to enter cells
- Increased risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and kidney disease
Consequences of diabetes?
- Hyperglycemia
- “Starvation in the midst of plenty”
- Body loses access to its main source of fuel
- Use of fat and protein for energy sources -> ketosis and acidosis.
- Over time, damage to body proteins and tissues
Forms of diabetes mellitus
- Type 1 diabetes: lack of insulin production
- Type 2 diabetes: cells are resistant to insulin:
- Prediabetes - Gestational diabetes: occurs during pregnancy
Risk Factors for Type 1 Diabetes?
first degree relative (parents/sibling) with type 1 diabetes.
Caucasian higher risk
Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes?
Minority Groups have higher risks Age > 45 Overweight First degree relative with diabetes Sedentary lifestyle Ethnicity Previously identified pre-diabetes Hypertension HDL Cholesterol
Best prevention for diabetes?
-Healthful diet
-Monitoring and well-balanced meals
(The Exchange List or Carbohydrate Counting for Meal Planning)
-Regular exercise
Symptoms of Low blood glucose: hypoglycemia?
Nervousness, irritability, hunger, headache, shakiness, rapid heart rate, and weakness
Low blow glucose levels: hypoglycemia results from what?
Too much insulin, missed meals, and vigorous exercise
Reactive Hypoglycemia
is the general term for having a hypo after eating, which is when blood glucose levels become dangerously low following a meal.
Fasting Hypoglycemia
- Is a type of hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, that occurs when the stomach is empty.
- Has a blood glucose level of less than 50mg/dL
Recommended carbohydrate intake
RDA = 130 grams per day AMDR = 45–65% of calories Daily Value (for 2,000 kcal) = 300 grams
Dietary Guidelines for carbohydrates?
- “Reduce the intake of added sugars”
2. AMDR for added sugars = ½ of all grains as whole grains
US current consumption of Carbohydrates?
AMDR = 45–65% of kcal
Average American adult = 49–50% of kcal
13% of population has added sugar intake > 25% of kcal
-Soft drinks!
(At the same time, milk consumption and vitamin and mineral quality of diet is declining)
