What are Sugars & What are Starches? Article 1 of the Science of Low-Carb & Keto Diets series. All of us living the Low Carb lifestyle use the words carbohydrate, sugar, and starch on a daily basis. But although we use the words freely, not everyone is clear on just what those words mean, how the substances relate to one another, or how they relate to other things we eat.
The Science of Low-Carb & Keto Diets
The low-carb diet is a healthy way to lose weight and reduce your risk for a variety of health conditions. In fact, multiple studies over the years show that low-carb and ketogenic diets do more than just lower your weight, they actually have a positive impact on your brain health! In this series by CarbSmart.com, we look at the Science behind Low-Carb & Ketogenic diets.
The word "diet" can be a scary word. But a low-carb diet is a great option for those looking to lose weight. If you're struggling with your weight, it's important to remember that your diet matters more than the quantity of exercise you do. The key to weight loss is changing your daily food choices. It's not about adding or removing food groups. It's about making simple swaps so you can cut carbs and lose weight without feeling deprived.
This series of 24 articles will show you that the Keto lifestyle is fantastic for weight loss and for fighting diabetes. The science behind this is solid. The Keto lifestyle reduces blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and even helps people with type 1 diabetes.
New research about Low-Carb and Keto diets is suggesting that they could be used in the treatment of epilepsy, acid reflux, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia, ADHD, and other serious diseases.
What Is Dietary Fiber and The Glycemic Index?
What Is Dietary Fiber and The Glycemic Index? Article 2 of the Science of Low-Carb & Keto Diets series. Non-digestible carbohydrates are variously called dietary fiber, crude fiber, indigestible residue, gums, and roughage. Although the fiber doesn’t contribute to our nutritional needs directly, it is essential to our bodies because it causes the action necessary to clear the intestinal tract.
What Are Enzymes?
What Are Enzymes? Article 3 of the Science of Low-Carb & Keto Diets series. Enzymes are protein substances that are normally produced by the body to cause or allow specific actions. Dr. Beth Gruber explains the function of enzymes.
The Digestion Of Simple Sugars and Supplemental Digestive Enzymes
Digestion Of Simple Sugars & Supplemental Digestive Enzymes. Article 4 of the Science of Low-Carb & Keto Diets series. Those of us who are trying to lose weight, sometimes lose track of the fact that the body wants to take in food and use it to our best advantage. It does this by digesting the food, thereby making it ready for transfer into the body’s tissue cells. The necessary factors are enzymes, which are produced in our bodies for this purpose. Only simple sugars can be absorbed into the cells of the body, and enzymes are necessary to break down the complex carbohydrates to the simple sugar stage.
The Final Stages Of Carbohydrate Digestion
Let’s take a look at the anatomy of the small intestines. Article 5 of the Science of Low-Carb & Keto Diets series. The small intestines are variously called small intestines, small intestine (with no final S), upper bowel, and small bowel. It is the part of the digestive tract that is located just below the stomach. It is, of course, a tube, but the walls of the tube are folded many, many times.
How Much Sugar Do We Eat? Sugar By Any Other Name Would Be As Sweet
There is another small subject concerning carbohydrates that needs to be addressed before we move on to discussing protein. Article 6 of the Science of Low-Carb & Keto Diets series. What about all the forms of actual sugar? Are they different? Is it safer/better to eat certain ones? Well-meaning friends and relatives often say, “But, this is made with a ‘special’ sugar that has vitamins and minerals! It is good for you.” Do you know what to tell them? No? Well, then read on.
Protein and Amino Acids
Today we are starting our discussion of protein. Article 7 of the Science of Low-Carb & Keto Diets series. We will be looking at such subjects as what is protein, why protein is necessary, what the functions of protein are in our bodies, where we get protein, what happens if we don’t have enough or the right kinds of protein, and how and where in the system is protein digested. There will be a few surprises down the line.
Protein Digestion and Protein Absorption
Protein Digestion and Protein Absorption. Article 8 of the Science of Low-Carb & Keto Diets series. The protein parts of every cell in the body are being destroyed continually. As a result, our bodies need to replace these protein structures constantly. This requires that we eat protein every day. Fortunately, those of us who follow a low carbohydrate lifestyle, don’t have any problems getting enough needed protein.
Excess Protein Turns Into Carbohydrates In The Body
Excess protein is transformed into glucose in the liver in a process called gluconeogenesis. The glucose turns into glycogen by the liver. Article 9 of the Science of Low-Carb & Keto Diets series. The CHO portion of the protein is transformed into glucose in the liver in a process called gluconeogenesis (gluco-NEO-genesis; gluco=sugar; neo=new; genesis=creation). The glucose is then available to be transformed into glycogen by the liver, just like the glucose from “regular” carbohydrates.
How Much Protein Should I Eat?
Dr. Beth Gruber talks about how protein works in the body. Article 10 of the Science of Low-Carb & Keto Diets series. The liver converts an average of 58% of the protein we eat into carbohydrates, and that the carbohydrates-from-protein are handled by the body just like “regular” carbohydrates. It is broken down into glucose by the simple water-related steps of hydrolysis; it is used for fuel to run the body; it is converted to glycogen and stored. If there is too much of it, it is converted into body fat.
Can I Eat Only Protein?
Article 11 of the Science of Low-Carb & Keto Diets series. Since some of the protein I eat converts to carbs, can I eat only protein if I take supplements to provide what I’m not getting in veggies?
What Have We Learned So Far? A Summary of Our First 11 Articles about the Science of Low-Carb
Dr. Beth Gruber reviews all she has previously talked about in regards to sugars, starches, fiber, enzymes, and carbohydrate digestion. Article 12 of the Science of Low-Carb & Keto Diets series.
