Carbohydrates come in two basic forms: complex and simple. Simple carbs are one, two, or at most three units of sugar linked together in single molecules. Complex carbs are hundreds or thousands of sugar units linked together in single molecules. Simple sugars are easily identified by their taste: sweet. Complex carbs, such as potatoes, are pleasant to the taste buds, but not sweet. There are two groups of complex carbs: high fiber and low fiber. High-fiber, complex carbs are not digestible, at least not by human beings, because we do not have the enzyme to do the job. Cows have that enzyme; that is why they can get calories out of grass, and we cannot. The main stuff in high-fiber, complex carbs which is indigestible by humans is called "cellulose". It matters not if a carb is simple or complex. After digestion, it appears 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 carbs must be digested by the enzyme amylase. Amylase is secreted by the salivary glands, which empty into the mouth, and by the pancreas, which empties into the head of the duodenum.
There has been a lot of discussion of low carb diets. While it is obvious that they do work, some diet experts claim that the weight loss is only temporary or that there are health risks involved with lowcarbing. There have been several new studies done recently that show that a lowcarb way of life is a healthy way of life.
A low-carbohydrate, calorie-restricted diet can help people with type 2 diabetes get their blood sugar under control when standard dietary changes and drug treatment have failed. At least in the short run, the diet may help patients avoid having to take insulin to control their disease. After 8 weeks on a diet with 25% of calories from carbohydrates, type 2 diabetics had a significant improvement in blood sugar levels compared to those seen with a diet with 55% of calories from carbohydrates.
