In my last blog, I wrote about the effects of prolonged fatigue on the body systems. In this segment, I'd like to explore the consequences of what is called carbohydrate feasting. This habit favors carbohydrate rich foods (sugars and starches) over other necessary nutrients such as proteins (meat, eggs, dairy products, legumes and whole grains).
Carbohydrate feasting prompts the question: Are carbohydrates good, or are they bad? Well, as usual, the answer is “Its all relative.” Actually, it is a hard question to answer! Many health care authorities disagree as to how many carbs are too much to eat in one day. As often happens, one source says that Diet plan A is good for this and another says that Diet plan B is great for that! No wonder folks get confused about what foods can aid them in establishing a healthy lifestyle.
Today, schedules are so jammed that many of us resort to eating meals loaded with carbs. You know what I mean. Lunch boxes and dinner plates are filled with pasta salads, packaged soups, rice, frozen entrees, pizza, stuffed potatoes, specialty energy drinks, French fries, bread rolls, cookies, and pastries. Most of us feel that all of this passes for a satisfying meal. Sure, protein is included in some of these. Yet, it is hardly in proportion to the carb intake.
As we chase from one task to the other, we rarely are conscious of the fact that our rush-around-the-whole-day-diet is, in fact, suppressing our immune system and making us more susceptible to colds and serious illnesses. If you are wondering why you are so constantly fatigued, try looking at your diet for the answer! It is in this examination that you will find not only the ways to maintain your weight and to regain some energy, but also the means to prevent illnesses.
Amidst the large swirl of dietary fact and fiction, I’d like to present a concise explanation of how excess carbs can suppress your immune system and make you more susceptible illness. It is my hope that this information will aid you in your journey to wellness.
How Carbohydrates Turn Into Sugar
It’s 3 p.m. and you are beginning to get that dragged out feeling. Worse yet, you know that you have several more hours of work and home duties ahead of you. What do you do? You go to the local coffee shop and get a latte and a Danish! This power snack should give you the extra push-power that you need to get through the rest of the day. Right?
Carbohydrate feasting prompts the question: Are carbohydrates good, or are they bad? Well, as usual, the answer is “Its all relative.” Actually, it is a hard question to answer! Many health care authorities disagree as to how many carbs are too much to eat in one day. As often happens, one source says that Diet plan A is good for this and another says that Diet plan B is great for that! No wonder folks get confused about what foods can aid them in establishing a healthy lifestyle.
Today, schedules are so jammed that many of us resort to eating meals loaded with carbs. You know what I mean. Lunch boxes and dinner plates are filled with pasta salads, packaged soups, rice, frozen entrees, pizza, stuffed potatoes, specialty energy drinks, French fries, bread rolls, cookies, and pastries. Most of us feel that all of this passes for a satisfying meal. Sure, protein is included in some of these. Yet, it is hardly in proportion to the carb intake.
As we chase from one task to the other, we rarely are conscious of the fact that our rush-around-the-whole-day-diet is, in fact, suppressing our immune system and making us more susceptible to colds and serious illnesses. If you are wondering why you are so constantly fatigued, try looking at your diet for the answer! It is in this examination that you will find not only the ways to maintain your weight and to regain some energy, but also the means to prevent illnesses.
Amidst the large swirl of dietary fact and fiction, I’d like to present a concise explanation of how excess carbs can suppress your immune system and make you more susceptible illness. It is my hope that this information will aid you in your journey to wellness.
How Carbohydrates Turn Into Sugar
It’s 3 p.m. and you are beginning to get that dragged out feeling. Worse yet, you know that you have several more hours of work and home duties ahead of you. What do you do? You go to the local coffee shop and get a latte and a Danish! This power snack should give you the extra push-power that you need to get through the rest of the day. Right?
Well, you might get the extra energy that you needed. Yet, do you ever wonder what happens to all the sugar and carbohydrates that you just ingested? Well, first, it gets converted into glucose (a form of sugar) which is used by the cells for energy. Then, it stores what it can’t use for another time in the form of GLYOGEN - our long-term energy storage unit. It is interesting to note that the average person, who ingests a mixed protein/carb diet, has enough stored glycogen in their body to run around for 1-2 hours at the speed of a marathon!
Since our bodies are not genetically designed to handle such a deluge of FIBERLESS complex carbohydrates, we all of a sudden find ourselves with too much sugar in our blood. That’s when the pancreas is called into action to help the body cope with the overload. It’s a big job and one that puts a great burden on our inner mechanisms.
Here are some little known facts:
- the brain actually gobbles up about two thirds of the glucose to fuel its complex operations.
- vegetables with high fiber ( lettuce, avocado and broccoli) are digested slowly and gradually release glucose into the blood.
- low-fiber, complex carbs such as bananas, cereals, bread, pasta, potatoes and rice quickly dump huge amounts of glucose in to the bloodstream.
Dr. Larry Gertler, M. Ed., D.C., is a nationally known holistic chiropractor and teacher. He is available for in-office visits and telephone consultations (for California residents only). For more information, please call (510) 652-2302 or visit his website http://www.drgertler.org.
Dr. Gertler has been designated as a TOP Chiropractor in This Prime Buyer's Report! Click here.
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