Monday Morning Health Minute

December 12, 2011    V5 N50

A WORD FROM DAVE:

One of the greatest health myths (or urban legends or just flat out campaigns of misinformation), involves carbohydrates - which have been demonized for far too long. I believe it is time to set the record straight!

Not all carbohydrates are created equal and not all are bad. The difference is how long the chain of glucose is that makes up the carbohydrate. The longer the chain, the more complex the carbohydrate - the shorter the chain, the more simple.

Long chain carbohydrates break down slowly and actually help regulate blood glucose while short chain break down quickly and “rush” into the blood, often requiring an insulin response to control excess blood sugar. It must be noted that glucose combined with oxygen creates glycogen; the fuel that every single cell must have in order for you to live – oxygen comes from our lungs and combines with glucose in our blood, which comes from sugar, which comes from carbohydrates which should come from food.

Our body typically breaks complex carbodrates down into smaller chains and as each chain of carbohydrate gets broken down into its individual pieces, it will become glucose.

The problem is when the breaking down process begins outside of the body - examples are enriched white flour, fructose, white rice and processed sugar, amongst others.

With these foods, there are no mechanisms to slow down the conversion to sugar – in whole foods, minerals like chromium, selenium, magnesium, and the bran which typically contains fat, all act to control the rate of digestion.

Good Carb - Bad Carb:  http://youtu.be/-IxTxkLvAF8

With that being said, I would like to introduce you to the ultimate carbohydrate – Activated Barley.

Legend has it that this was the “food of the gladiators” due to its amazingly long chain of glucose - perhaps the longest chain carbohydrate available. It is ideal for endurance sports, dieting, and glucose control.

At Purium we make Activated Barley available in powder form - which is ideal for custom smoothies, gravies, baking, and more, as well as including it in some of our favorite formulas such as the Power Shake, Scoop of Greens, Creamy Vanilla Meal Option, and the CONTROL Whole Food Meal in chocolate.

Please let us know your thoughts, comments, suggestions, ideas on my Facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/Sandoval.Dave 

Good Carbohydrates Vs. Bad Carbohydrates

Aug 11, 2011 | By Amber Keefer

Consuming too many foods that are low in dietary fiber and essential nutrients, but high in sugar and unhealthy fats, puts individuals at greater risk for chronic health problems. However, according to an article published in the October 2007 issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, a diet high in carbohydrates is not necessarily bad for you. The starch and sugars in carbohydrates provide the body with a source of energy. Naturally, carbohydrates high in fiber and rich in nutrients are better for you.

Role of Carbohydrates

A healthy diet must include carbohydrates, which are broken down into glucose that the body's cells use as energy. Although highly processed foods are easy to digest, eating too many bad carbohydrates too often can lead to weight gain and chronic health problems. Processing removes the essential nutrients and fiber from these foods. On the other hand, the carbohydrates found in foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains offer many healthful benefits. They contain the vitamins and minerals your body needs to function properly.

Basic Differences

One basic difference between the quality of carbohydrates is nutrition. The carbohydrates found in natural foods are healthier than those in processed foods. While carbohydrates are an essential part of good nutrition, getting too many carbohydrates from the wrong sources can increase your risk for diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers.

Good Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are what you want the most of in your diet. They provide the body with the fuel it needs for energy. Good carbohydrates are found in foods that have not been processed, but are eaten pretty much in their natural states. Fruits, leafy green vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds are all sources of healthy carbohydrates.

Bad Carbohydrates

Bad carbohydrates are the refined, highly processed carbohydrates from which most of the nutrients and fiber have been removed. White flour and refined sugar contained in many processed foods are primary examples of bad carbohydrates. The body has trouble processing these foods, and therefore, they do not digest well. Simple starches and sugars throw off insulin production, causing fluctuations in blood glucose levels. Most foods that contain bad carbohydrates provide empty calories with little or no nutritional value. As a result, the body stores these extra calories in the cells as fat.

Benefits of Carbohydrates

Good carbohydrates are high fiber foods that help you feel full longer. These are carbohydrates that are chock full of vitamins and minerals that your body needs on a daily basis. Low glycemic carbohydrates break down slowly during digestion, releasing glucose into the bloodstream gradually, thereby helping to stabilize blood sugar levels. Carbohydrates that break down quickly have high glycemic indexes, causing blood sugar to rise quickly. Consuming a diet low in energy density means eating fewer refined carbohydrates and more unrefined carbohydrates that are high in nutrients. Including more good carbohydrates in your diet can help you lose excess body fat and feel more energized.

Strategy

Get more healthy carbohydrates into your daily diet by eating one or two servings of fresh fruits and vegetables with each meal. Do not allow yourself to get hungry as this can lead to overeating. Instead, eat small healthy snacks between meals and limit consumption of foods that contain sugar and enriched wheat flour. Include more whole grain breads, cereals and pasta in your daily diet. Say no to junk food as often as possible.  

Purium’s Activated Barley™ is a unique, complex carbohydrate from pre-sprouted grain that is digested slowly, providing energy and endurance for hours. It is a great source of immune-enhancing beta-glucan and has extremely low gluten content. It makes a great addition to any green drink.

• May support healthy immune function
• Can help increase endurance and stamina
• Is great when taken prior to exercise or activity
• Can help promote healthy cholesterol levels and cardiovascular function
• Contains only slow-burning carbohydrates that deliver energy for 2-3 hours

Click here to learn more about Purium's Activated Barley

Other Products that contain Activated Barley:

Power Shake

Meal Option

Scoop of Greens

CONTROL Whole Food Meal

CONSUMER EDUCATION CALL 
hosted by Dave and Amy
WHEN: 1st & 3rd WEDNESDAYS of the month
TIME: 6pm PT/ 9pm ET
CALL: 212-461-5800
PIN : 8246#
REPLAY: call (212)461-8911 or listen online

LET'S TALK HEALTH 
hosted by Dr. Mike
When: 2nd & 4th  WEDNESDAYS of the month
TIME  6pm PT/ 9pm ET
CALL: (212) 461-5800
PIN: 8246#

"We need to shift our focus from treating disease to generating health..." 
- Hippocrates
(AKA "The Father of Medicine")

PURIUM HEALTH PRODUCTS
1542 Seabright Ave
Long Beach, CA 90813
Phone: 888-747-6733
Fax: 866-747-3291

http://www.phporder.com
info@phporder.com  

Questions for Purium's staff Naturopath? E-mail Dr Michael Wohlfeld, ND at:

askphpdoc@gmail.com