Carbohydrate requirements?

[Guest guest]

Anyone care to comment on the nutrition advice from this college text on

anatomy that I use for teaching (the wrap up of) 8th grade anatomy? It

is _Human Anatomy and Physiology_ 4th Edition by W. Hole, Jr. It's

been your standard fare, older (1st ed. 1978, 4th 1987) anatomy book,

but now that we get into nutrition at the end of the semester, it just

seems plain weird. At least to me. Here's what I mean from pages

539-40 with my questions in brackets [ ]:

" Consequently, the presence of some carbohydrates in the body is

essential; if an adequate supply is not received from foods, the liver

may convert noncarbohydrates, such as amino acids from proteins, into

glucose (gluconeogenesis). Thus, the need for glucose has priority over

the need to manufacture proteins from available amino acids. " [is the

last sentence misleading?]

(social commentary on carbohydrate consumption based on economic status

precedes this quote)

" Furthermore, poor nutrition among people with limited economic

resources is more likely to be related to low intake of essential amino

acids, vitamins, and minerals than to an excessive use of carbohydrate

foods. [uh, excessive carbs are displacing these foods, right?]

" Since carbohydrates provide the primary source of fuel for cellular

processes, the need for carbohydrates varies with individual energy

requirements. Persons who are physically active require more fuel than

those who are sedentary. The minimal requirement for carbohydrates in

the human diet is unknown. It is estimated, however, that an intake of

at least 100 grams daily is necessary to avoid excessive breakdown of

protein and to avoid metabolic disorders that sometimes accompany

excessive utilization of fats. Persons in the United States typically

include 200-300 grams of carbohydrates in their daily diets. [First it's

unknown, but let's put an arbitrary number in anyway? What metabolic

disorders is he talking about?]

" A nutritionist might recommend that an adult diet contain enough

carbohydrates to maintain a desirable body weight, enough proteins to

supply the cellular needs for essential amino acids, enough fats to

supply essential fatty acids and fat soluble vitamins, and sufficient

amounts of other essential vitamins and minerals. " [Enough carbs for

desirable body weight: what is that?]

Maybe I should use a different book for nutrition, because we haven't

even gotten to lipids yet, and I'se is scared <g>. If so, what do you

recommend? Online sources are fine with some chemistry sprinkled in,

but not too heavy, if ya know what I mean.

Thanks,

Deanna