house.

Carbohydrates refer to a group of chemical substances made up of carbon, oxygen and hydrogen (carbon and water). They include starches, sugars, glycogen, dextrins and celluloses. Carbohydrates are classified or grouped by the number of carbon atoms they contain and by the combinations of sugars. Since organic carbon compounds supply the main energy source for cells, these carbohydrates are used by your body for its primary energy supply.

All green plants use the sun’s energy (photosynthesis) to combine carbon dioxide and water to form carbohydrates. Cellulose, the chief constituent of the cell walls of plants, is a type of carbohydrate. When consumed by humans, cellulose acts as an intestinal broom and energizer to the cells of the intestinal walls.

SUGARS

A sugar is a carbohydrate belonging to the sac-charide family. Simple sugars (also called monosaccarides) are the main fuels for your body. Sugars are as essential to your body as gasoline is to your automobile. It helps run your machine (your body) via the cells. However, there are several important distinctions to  understand about sugars.

Glucose (simple sugar) and its initial compounds, such as starch and

cellulose, make up the most abundant organic chemical compounds on earth. Since your body can only use substances in their simplest forms, all complex sugars (di- and polysaccharides) must first be broken down into simple sugars (monosaccharides). This is one aspect of the process of digestion.

After digestion breaks down complex sugars to glucose, this glucose is then absorbed into the blood from the intestinal tract. Glucose is then transported to cells where it is reduced to carbon and is oxidized for energy and heat. Part of this carbon is stored for future energy needs (the way a battery stores energy). Some excess carbon, which is not used, is stored as ATP (adenosine triphosphate) or converted to fat and/or stored as glycogen.

Glycogen is stored mainly in the liver and muscle tissue, but can also be stored in many other places. When the body is deprived of glucose or fructose, it will start to use its glycogen reserves. Glycogen is then converted back into glucose. Remember that the body must have a fuel source, as does your car.

When refined or complex sugars (several glucose and fructose complexes bonded together) are consumed, this creates a glucose overload, which in turn creates excess carbon molecules. This excess carbon is converted into carbon dioxide and carbonic acid. Carbon dioxide is eliminated via lungs, kidneys and skin. Carbonic acid requires oxidation or transmutation via oxygen or mineral salts, respectively. Both of these substances are acid-forming and must be neutralized and removed by the body, as they are strong contributors to acidosis.

Sugar (glucose) overload is common in our society. We consume a great deal of refined and complex carbohydrates and sugars. This keeps a high demand upon the pancreas to produce insulin, and upon the liver and kidneys to convert or eliminate the excess. Add to this excess the problems created by protein and fat consumption and you can begin to form a picture of why people today have so many health problems.

Raw fruits and vegetables are balanced in their simple sugars, amino acids and fatty acids. This is another reason that I call them “God-foods” designed for humans.

The Danger of High-Protein Diets

Some substances are not fuel sources, but are building materials. Proteins, for example, are non-fuel substances that are used by the body as building materials, as immune factors, as catalysts or carriers, etc. Just as the body must convert a carbohydrate into a simple sugar before it can be utilized, all proteins must first be broken down into amino acids before the body can use them to build and repair itself; in much the same way that a carpenter would use two-by-fours or two-by-sixes in building or repairing a structure. However, if the body needs to, it will convert amino acids to glucose. The grave mistake made by many who want to lose weight is in making the body burn protein for fuel. When the body is deprived of sugars, it will go to stored fat or break down its own tissues for energy. This leads to muscle, liver, pancreatic and kidney damage.

In another article we will discuss the “Protein Myth” more thoroughly.

Most artificial sweeteners have been linked to cancer. Nutrasweet® or aspartame is an example of an artificial sugar. Aspartame is a neuro-toxin that breaks down into formaldehyde, and Americans use over 7000 tons of this a year.

It is a myth that natural, simple sugars “feed” (i.e., encourage) cancer. Quite the contrary. Simple sugars strengthen and energize cells, which is a must in successful cancer treatment, as cancer cells are normal cells that have lost their vitality and health through acidosis. Remember, a simple sugar (glucose in particular) is the proper fuel for cells. Protein and fats should never be used for fuel unless it is absolutely necessary, because cellular damage can result.

Fructose is the highest energetic form of a monosaccharide or simple sugar. Neurons (nerve cells) especially attract fructose molecules. Fructose enters a cell through diffusion instead of via active transport, which its counterpart glucose uses. Diffusion saves energy for the body and cells.

Any activity requires energy, including the activity of transporting nutrients across cell walls. Most nutrients also require a helper or carrier to assist in this movement through the cell wall into the cell. As ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is a cell’s stored energy, it is used in active transport (the assisted transportation of nutrients across cell membrane walls). Glucose needs insulin to a certain degree as a “utilization hormone” for this active transport. Fructose, on the other hand, requires no ATP or insulin and is simply pulled or absorbed through the cell wall by diffusion.

For diabetics, fructose is perfect, especially if they remove complex sugars from their diets. Complex sugars create excessive glucose levels in the blood, which then creates more insulin demand.

Raw fruits and vegetables are always your best sources of simple sugars. This is one reason why your body becomes stronger and more energetic on these foods. Foods high in protein and low in sugars, or foods high in complex-sugars, rob your body of vital energy, create acidosis and elevate blood sugars.

Simple sugars also aid alkalization of the tissues, which is vital for tissue regeneration and vitality. As stated, fructose is the highest electrical sugar in nature and is superb for brain and nerve regeneration.

COMPLEX SUGARS

Complex sugars are of two types—polysaccha-rides and disaccharides.

POLYSACCHARIDES — A chain or series of linked monosaccharides or disaccharides. They can consist of a few or many saccharide bonds. Polysaccharides, when hydro lyzed, yield over twenty monosaccharides.

Polysaccharides include two groups, starch and cellulose.

Starch: starch, glycogen, dextrin, insulin

Cellulose: cellulose, hemicelluloses (pento-saniek)

Digestive and metabolic By-Products of Carbohydrates

NUTRITIVE PRODUCTS

Glucose = energy

Fructose = energy

Galactose = energy (infancy)

Glycogen = stored fat for future energy needs Water

Fatty acids = secondary response

Amino acids = secondary response

TOXIC BY-PRODUCTS

Pyretic acid

Lactic acid

Carbon dioxide

CARBON CAUSED ACIDOSIS ELIMINATION

oxidized by oxygen bonded to various mineral salts to form non-acid compounds carbon dioxide conversion to bicarbonate

DISACCHARIDES — Complex sugars having two monosaccharides linked together. Disaccharides include three groups, maltose, lactose, sucrose.

Maltose — from malt grains (germinated grains and seeds); 2 glucose molecules

Lactose — from milk and dairy products; 1 glucose and 1 galactose

molecule

Sucrose — from refined beets, sugar cane, inverted or refined sugars; 1 glucose and 1 fructose molecule

Disaccharides are converted to monosaccharides (C6H1206 )

SIMPLE SUGARS

There are five types of monosaccharides or simple sugars.

Glucose — from vegetables; contain 6 carbon bonds called hexoses

or simple sugars.

Fructose — from fruits; contain 6 carbon bonds called hexoses

Galactose — from milk (infants only); contain 6 carbon bonds called hexoses

Ribose (RNA) — from fruits and vegetables; contain 5 carbon bonds called pentoses

Deoxyribose (DNA) — from fruits and vegetables; contain 5 carbon bonds called pentoses.