Transcript Carbohydrates - Catherine Huff`s Site

CARBOHYDRATES
PAGES 294, 300
ADDITIONAL PAGES SITED WILL BE LISTED.
Carbohydrates
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Provides the body with energy.
Source of glucose and are building blocks for
other nutrients.
Divided into simple and complex carbohydrates.
Excess glucose can be converted to fat.
Sugars
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Simple sugars: monosaccharide (one sugar
molecule)
1)
2)
3)
4)
Glucose
Fructose
Galactose
Ribose
Cont: Sugars
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Disaccharide: (two sugar molecules)
1)
2)
3)
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Sucrose: glucose and fructose-sugar
cane
Maltose: glucose and glucose-starchy
plants
Lactose: glucose and galactose-milk
Multiple sugars can bond and link to form
complex sugar polymers. Polymerized sugars
include starch and fiber.
Functions of Carbohydrates
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Ultimate source of energy
Source of heat
Building blocks for other nutrients
Storage in body by converting into adipose tissue or
glycogen
Digestion of Carbohydrates
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Carbs must be broken down to monosaccharides for
absorption from the G.I. tract or are utilized directly
by the body as energy.
Monosaccharides travel in the blood to the liver
where they are converted to glycogen or fat for
storage.
Glycogen
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Glycogen is broken down when the blood
glucose drops below the normal range.
Glucose levels drop between meals as a
result of insulin secretion.
Glycogen is an animal specific starch and can
quickly depolymerize into units of glucose.
Glycogen is mostly stored in the liver muscle
tissue and can be rapidly turned into glucose
to supply immediate demand.
Fiber : pg 300
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Many complex carbohydrates found in plant
material are not easily digestible or used for
energy.
They are subdivided into soluble and insoluble
Unlike starches, fiber is not digested in the stomach
or small intestine. Once it enters the large intestine,
it is excreted with the feces.
The Functions of Fiber
page 300
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Fiber is different from starch in that most mammals
cannot digest it. However, fermentation of fiber
does occur in the large intestine of some simplestomached animals.
The primary function of fiber is to increase bulk
and water content. Fiber tends to decrease a
diet’s digestibility and caloric density. Fiber is
therefore useful in the treatment of obesity or
management of gastrointestinal disorders. (Fills the
stomach up without caloric intake.)
Cont. Fiber Function
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Fiber helps to stabilize blood sugar levels by
extending the time that nutrients are absorbed in
the diabetic animal.
In most animals fiber assists in the regulation of
bowel formation. It helps to loosen-up stool. It
also plays an important role in maintaining
normal colonic function by decreasing
pathogenic intestinal bacteria and may play a
part in preventing intestinal cancer.
Fiber and Ruminants
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Ruminants have bacteria and protozoan microbes
that can degrade fiber in the rumen, cecum and
large intestine.
Fiber is a major energy source for grazing animals.
There are approximately 4 calories per gram of
carbohydrate