There are two basic forms of carbohydrates: complex and simple. Simple
carbohydrates are one, two, or three units of sugar linked together in
single molecules. Complex carbohydrates can be hundreds or thousands of
sugar units linked together in single molecules.
Simple sugars are sweet. Complex carbohydrates, i.e. potatoes or rice,
taste pleasant, but not as sweet. Simple carbohydrates are not at all
necessary.
Many long chain complex carbohydrates appear to be critical to a fully
functional immune system. An example of this is the phyto-nutrient “acemannon” from Aloe Vera
inner leaf gel. This is one of the most effective immune system boosters
known. There is a highly bio-available, very affordable freeze-dried
powdered form of it called "BiAloeͫ®."
The two groups of complex carbohydrates are high fiber and low fiber.
Dietary fiber is the part of a plant that provides and maintains the plant's
structure. Cellulose, hemicellulose, polysaccharides, pectins, gums,
mucilages, and lignins are dietary fibers. These fibers are unrelated
chemically, however, they all have one thing in common -- they can't be
digested by the human body. For this reason, they can help clean and correct
disorders of the large intestine and colon, and keep them functioning
healthfully.
Fiber is an essential part of your diet. It promotes the wavelike
contractions that keep food moving through the intestine. Also, high-fiber
foods expand the inside walls of the colon. This eases the passage of waste.
Fibrous substances pass through the intestine undigested. They also absorb
many times their weight in water, resulting in softer, bulkier stools.
Studies show that rural Africans, who eat diets high in fiber, eliminate
food waste in one-third the time it takes people from urban westernized
cultures. Their stools are larger and softer. Because of the greater bulk
and speed of foods through the digestive tract, it is believed that harmful
substances are also swept out before they can cause problems. In fact, these
rural people have fewer of the digestive tract diseases that plague Western
man. Do you suppose there might be a connection?
High-fiber vegetable foods are the healthiest choices for human
nutrition, and intake of these foods is associated with lowered incidences
of hypertension, cancer, arthritis, diabetes, etc. Examples are celery,
cabbage, lettuce, broccoli, etc. Examples of low-fiber, complex
carbohydrates are banana, tomato, squash, potatoes, rice and all grains
(therefore breads and pastas).
After digestion, carbohydrates appear in the circulatory system in the
simple form, as glucose, on its way to the cells where it is used for
energy. To be transformed into simple sugars, complex carbohydrates must be
digested by the enzyme amylase. This process slows and paces the entry of
glucose into the blood stream, providing a more stable, consistent energy
and creating less stress than directly consumed simple sugars.
Processing of plant food strips away its fiber and/or vitamin content. In
most cases, foods should be eaten raw and whole.
Most of the carbohydrates found in a typical American diet come from
grains. Our bodies are not genetically designed to thrive on large amounts
of these fiberless complex carbohydrates. With the popularity of breads,
pastas, cereal and grain-based foods, carbohydrate metabolism has been
upset. It is known that more than ¾ of this country’s population has
developed serious health problems from this single cause.
Complex carbohydrate foods with lots of fiber should be consumed for
maximum health and vitality. These are also rich sources of necessary
vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals as well as enzymes when in the raw
state. They are one of the most essential parts of anyone’s Perfect Health
program, good health program, or even just a survival health program.
Doesn’t a nice, fresh, leafy green salad with olive oil and vinegar dressing
sound wonderful right now?
A few good sources of fiber: apple with skin; beets; blackberries;
blueberries; broccoli; cabbage; carrots; celery; chard; corn; figs; green
beans; green peas; kale; lettuce; orange; parsley; parsnips; pears with
skin; prunes; raisins; raspberries; spinach; sweet potato with skin; turnip
greens; zucchini with skin.
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