NUTR 202 Module 4: Carbohydrates

The term "carbohydrates" can be literally translated to-

Carbon with water

A simple carbohydrate consists of less than ___ monosaccharide units

10

A complex carbohydrate consists of more than ___ monosaccharide units

10

The most common form of carbohydrates is ___

Glucose

This carbohydrate rarely exists as an individual in compound foods

Galactose

What is a non-nutritive sweetener?

Can be natural or synthetic, but they DO NOT provide calories

Examples of non-nutritive sweeteners (including brand name):

- Aspartame (Equal)
- Acesulfame-K (Sunnett)
- Saccharin (Sweet'n Low)
- Sucralose (Splenda)

Are non-nutritive sweeteners known to cause cancer?

No; there is no evidence to back the claim that non-nutritive sweeteners cause cancer

What are nutritive sweeteners?

Sweeteners that can be digested and yield calories

Examples of nutritive sweeteners:

- Sucrose
- Fructose
- Honey
- Molasses
- High fructose corn syrup

Does high fructose corn syrup cause obesity?

Yes; it is easy to overconsume calories in high fructose corn syrup. Especially when it is in beverage form

High fructose corn syrup is ___% fructose and ___% glucose

55; 45

Why can honey be considered a better source of carbohydrate than table sugar?

Honey has a reduced impact on the blood glucose. However, it is still sugar and has relatively the same effect

Honey has ___ kcal per teaspoon, where as table sugar has ___ kcal per teaspoon

21; 15

Why is honey not recommended in infants?

Honey may cause Clostridium botulinum spores in infants

What is a polysaccharide?

A complex carbohydrates that is made up of more than two monosaccharides

Examples of polysaccharides:

- Starch
- Glycogen

What is starch?

A storage form of carbohydrate found in plants

Structure of starch:

Can be long and straight, or branched

What is glycogen?

Storage form carbohydrate found in the liver and muscle of animals

What is dietary fiber?

Repeating units of glucose and other monosaccharides than can't be digested by human enzymes

How many carbohydrates must be consumed each day to prevent ketosis?

130 grams

Complex carbohydrates that are recommended:

- Whole grains
- Vegetables
- Fruit
- Legumes
- Nuts and seeds

Components of grain kernel present:

- Endosperm
- Bran
- Germ

What are refined grains?

Germ and bran are removed and fiber, B-vitamins, healthy fats, iron, magnesium are lost.

What can refined grains be enriched with?

Thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid, and iron

Sugar comprises ___% of total calorie intake in ___ diets

25; Western

Simple sugars provide-

Quick energy

Complex carbohydrates provide-

Sustainable energy

Proteins and amino acids are used for ___ and ___

Growth; repair

When the body does not receive an adequate amount of carbohydrates, ___ is used as energy

Protein

Gluconeogenesis

The synthesis of new glucose from non carbohydrate sources

When the liver creates glucose, it uses ___ ___ as its energy source

Fatty acid

Alanine

An amino acid used to be protein; preferred by the liver to create glucose

Fat, carbs, and protein converted to ___ which is eventually broken for energy

Acetyl CoA

Oxaloacetate

A chemical derived from carbohydrates and certain amino acids; needed to fully break down fats

Ketone bodies

Acidic fat byproducts that arise from the incomplete breakdown of fat; made by making acetyl CoA from macronutrients

Normal blood glucose levels are-

70-120

Hormones involved in blood sugar regulation

- Insulin
- Glucagon
- Epinephrine

What happens if glucose exceeds energy needs?

It is stored as glycogen in the liver and muscles, and can also be stored as fat

Insulin is secreted when blood glucose levels exceed ___; glucagon is secreted when blood glucose levels drop below ___

120; 70

Insulin acts as a ___ to allow ___ into the cell

Doorway; glucose

What is another name for epinephrine?

Adrenaline

Tissue that is insulin sensitive:

- Muscle
- Fat

Acetyl CoA contains ___ carbons

2

Divide the carbon fatty acid molecules by ___ to calculate how many acetyl CoA can be made

2

Glycemic Index

Measure of how fast blood glucose rises after eating food compared to straight glucose, uses a 100 point scale

Diabetes mellitus (DM)

Inability for the body to regulate glucose within normal limits

___glycemia is high blood sugar, while ___glycemia is low blood sugar

Hyper; hypo

Pre-diabetes

Blood glucose is elevated, but not enough to be considered diabetes

Type 1 diabetes

- Diagnosed in children
- Pancreas no longer produces insulin
- Autoimmune

Type 2 diabetes

- 90% of all diabetes cases
- Insulin resistance
- Typically diagnosed in obese people over the age of 40

Beta cells secrete ___ which alpha cells secrete ___

Insulin; glucagon

More body fat is associated with higher ___ levels

Estrogen

Acanthosis nigricans

Thickening and darkening of skin near axillary region, associated with T2D

Risk factors for T2D:

- Overweight/obesity
- Older age
- Prediabetes
- Family history
- Physical inactivity
- PCOS
- Gestational diabetes
- Acanthosis nigricans

The 3 poly's of diabetes

- Polyuria (increase urination)
- Polydipsia (increased thirst)
- Polyphagia (increased hunger)

Complications of diabetes:

- Kidney disease
- Coronary heart disease
- High BP
- Ocular damage
- Nervous system damage

Gestational diabetes

- Elevated blood glucose during pregnancy
- Higher birth weight (macrosomia)
- Diagnosis of DM later in life

Soluble fiber

- Dissolves in water
- Can aid in lowering cholesterol
- May reduce risk of heart disease

Common sources of soluble fiber:

- Fruit
- Legumes
- Oat bran
- Potatoes
- Peas

Insoluble fiber

- Cannot be dissolved in water
- Composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin
- Softens stool and decreases transit time

Sources of insoluble fiber:

- Cereal
- Whole grains
- Wheat bran
- Legumes
- Brown rice

Benefits of consuming dietary fiber:

- Reduces risk of diverticulosis
- Reduces risk of colon cancer
- Weight control
- Improves blood glucose control
- Reduces risk of heart disease

Overconsumption of fiber makes it harder for the body to process-

- Calcium
- Zinc
- Copper
- Iron

Enterocytes live ___ days

3-5

Gluten is made up of ___ and ___

Gliadin; glutenin

Grains provide:

- Fiber
- Calories
- Protein
- Micronutrients

Most widely consumed grains in the US:

- Wheat
- Rye
- Barley

Celiac disease

Autoimmune response to the consumption of gluten that flattens the intestinal wall; treated by cutting gluten out of the diet

___ acid produced by bacterial fermentation degrades tooth enamel

Lactic

A low-carb diet forces ___ and ___ to be broken down for glucose

Fat; muscle glycogen

On a low carb diet, ___ is released when glycogen is broken down

Water

Complications of low-carb diets:

- Bad breath
- Constipation
- Dehydration