Importance Of Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are our main source of energy and provide the ideal fuel (glucose) for your body to function optimally, as well as many essential vitamins and minerals. They are also the only form of energy used by the brain.

Complex carbohydrates

Complex carbohydrates provide long-term energy and help jump-start your metabolism. As your metabolism speeds up, your body burns calories more efficiently and this may make you get hungry between meals. This is often mistaken for carbohydrate cravings.

Studies show, however, that fueling up with several small meals throughout the day is better for your metabolism than three big meals. If your body is hungry, you are metabolizing fuel – in order to continue this process, you need to honor that hunger appropriately. Maintaining a steady flow of glucose through your blood stream will ensure optimal fat burning efficiency, peak performance, long-term appetite control, and minimal food cravings.

Without adequate carbohydrates

• Muscle tissue breakdown will occur,
• fatigue will set in,
• and brain power will diminish,
• the body will go into ketosis and if weight loss does occur, it will come from primarily water and lean tissue;
• the real danger in ketosis is that ketones are acidic, and high levels of ketones make the blood abnormally acid.

In addition to the medical consequences, there are some practical ones as well:

• nausea,
• mood swings,
• weakness,
• dizziness,
• bad breath,
• and depression may also set in as a result of carbohydrate restriction.