Carbohydrates - Great Energy Sources

Carbohydrates, like fats and proteins, are important sources of energy for the body. Carbohydrates break down into as many as eight forms of basic "sugars" that fuel the various functions of the brain and body. Our ancestors had no problem with naturally occurring carbohydrate sources. Grains, beans, legumes, and tubers provided carbohydrates in the proper form for human needs.

Whole Carbohydrates - Provided by Nature

These sources as provided for in nature are what we now refer to as "whole". The term whole is used to differentiate from the denatured, processed, refined carbohydrates that are now so popular that most people think they are the original form. These are the rice, cereals, breads, pastas and "prepared" foods in box and freezer as well as any form of refined white or brown sugar.

Modern Processing - Removing the Valuable "Germ"

When modern processing occurs, the outer portion that contains the "germ" (where vitamins, minerals and enzymes for the plant's growth are stored), is removed. This allows for a longer shelf life as there is very little left but fiber. However, this also means there is little nutritional value left as well. Having done this, the food companies try to "fortify" the products with synthetic vitamins ( not at all the same as naturally occurring ones) to replace some of the nutritive values that were once naturally present. Beyond the lack of nutritional value, another dilemma is created.

Lack of enzymes means less ability to digest the product, hence "allergies" to many foods. Lack of vitamins and minerals that are in a natural form and therefore fully utilizable at the cellular level by the body, means that the ability to digest and make use of the food is altered. Naturally occurring carbohydrate sources break down in small increments or "stages" that provide sufficient "sugars" that can be fully used by the body.

Refined Carbohydrates & the Body

Processed, refined carbohydrate sources break down into basic sugars all at once and "flood" the system with excessive sugars. This will "spike" the blood sugar level and make the pancreas work harder to supply insulin to deal with the excess sugar. Westernized countries struggle with the end result which is "type two" diabetes.

Another factor that affects health is that excessive sugars from refined carbohydrates must be dealt with in some way, and so are stored as fat.

Complex Carbohydrates Give Extra Benefits

There is yet another point of consideration and that is that a wide variety of grains, ("brown" rice and wheat, barley, corn, millet, rye etc.) legumes, (peas, lentils etc.) and tubers (yams, sweet potato, white potato etc.) provide better sourcing for all eight forms of "sugars" that are required to identify and define DNA and for appropriate receptors on cells for their communication. This is extremely important to the functioning of the body and brain as well, the prognosis for health and aging.

It is far better to follow the ways of our ancestors and eat from the many sources of natural, unrefined grains, a wide variety of beans and legumes, and the tuber and ground plants from the garden and in the wild that give strength and appropriate fuel for the proper function of our bodies.