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Carbohydrate (Sugar)
Basics:
Understanding the
Differences between Sucrose, Fructose, Glucose, Lactose and Maltose
Sugars, or
carbohydrates, are imperative for life. Sucrose, fructose, glucose, lactose,
maltose and other types of sugars provide us
energy; help to structure our
DNA/RNA - and fulfil several other bodily functions and needs. All
carbohydrates lose water and leave carbon behind when heated - hence the
name "carbo" "hydrate". But why all of these different names? What are the
differences between these various types of carbohydrates?
The different types of carbohydrates (sugars):
Monosaccharides:
Monosaccharides are known as simple sugars. This simply means that a
carbohydrate that is labeled as a monosaccharide cannot be broken down
further. Monosaccharides are carbohydrates that are already broken down as
far as they can be.
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Glucose, also known as dextrose, is a 6-carbon atom sugar that is present in
all living organisms. Human blood generally is found to have about 0.8g of
glucose per liter. It is the primary type of carbohydrate that cells utilize
in order to function. Glucose is derived from the
foods that we eat and
taken up into the small intestine. From there it is transported to the liver
to be regulated for release into the blood. If the liver detects that too
much glucose is present in the blood, it will form glycogen. If the liver
detects too little glucose is present in the bloodstream, then this
glycogen
is again broken down into glucose. This forward and reverse process is known
as glycogen metabolism.
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Fructose is another simple sugar - a monosaccharide. It lacks the
sweetness
of glucose, yet is also a 6-carbon atom sugar molecule. It is not as easily
absorbed into the small intestine.
Disaccharides
Disaccharides are simply sugars that are comprised of two monosaccharide
units. Individual monosaccharide molecules are bound together by acetal
bonds. These bound-together carbohydrates occur naturally throughout nature
and form various components of our food. Additionally, they can join
together with other monosaccharides and/or other disaccharides to form
polysaccharides. "Poly" means "many". Therefore polysaccharides are
carbohydrates comprised of several different less
complex sugar molecules.
The most common and important disaccharides are saccharose, maltose and
lactose.
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Saccharose is also called sucrose which is just a fancy name for table
sugar. It is comprised of glucose and fructose. During the process of
digestion, sucrose is broken down by invertase - an enzyme produced in the
small intestine. Invertase is also commonly known as sucrase.
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Maltose, also known as malt sugar, is a disaccharide comprised of two
glucose molecules. Another special enzyme, maltase is used to break these
glucose molecules apart and again form separate monosaccharides. Maltase is
also manufactured in the small intestines.
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Lactose is also called milk sugar. Of course, this is because it is present
in milk. Lactose is a disaccharide that is comprised of one molecule each of galactose and glucose. Again, a special enzyme called lactase, produced in
the small intestine, acts to break down lactose into its individual
monosaccharide units. Many people lack the ability to manufacture lactase
and are therefore considered lactose intolerant.
Lactose intolerance is characterized by the following symptoms:
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Nausea;
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Cramping;
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Diarrhea;
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General pain;
It's interesting to note that 3% of Danish people are lactose intolerant and
that 97% of Thai people are.
Carbohydrates, or sugars, vary in complexity and are all important for
fuelling the various functions of life. As with fats and
proteins,
carbohydrates must be efficiently metabolized and then assimilated by our
bodies in order to optimize health and wellbeing. A very delicate
biochemical balance must be maintained at all times in order for the
human
body to thrive. Of course, we receive all of our
carbohydrates, fats and
proteins from the foods that we
choose to eat. It's very important to be
intentionally mindful about what you take into your system - and how much.
Sweet Taste From Foods May Cause
Problems With Weight Control
You must seek approval from your doctor
before starting any new diet.
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Terms!
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