Conference rocks::weight_control

   	How much do we know about carbohydrates and their effect
   on the human body?  Well, we know that carbohydrates are the
   fuel that the human body uses during physical activity. But
   what about their effect on brain function, in specific mood
   and mental awareness?

   	Say "sugar", and most people will think "stimulant". This
   is a myth that has just recently been exposed. The confusion
   came about when studying hyperactive children - they tend to
   consume much more sugar than 'normal' children.  But new evi-
   dence concludes that the sugar consumption is an effect, not
   a cause. Sugar, and carbohydrates in general, are not stimu-
   lants.

   	Rather, the carbohydrate effect is to calm or even fatigue
   people. A decrease in alertness and longer reaction times are
   also common.  This effect is intensified by eating an unbalanced-
   carbohydrate meal, a meal with excessive amounts of sugars and
   starches but with minimal amounts of protein.  It has been shown
   that a small amount of protein, will block or lessen the carbohy-
   drate effect.

   	So, how do carbohydrates calm and fatigue?  The Wurtman
   model, developed by Richard Wurtman while at MIT, has shown
   that the metabolism of carbohydrates is a complex physiological
   process that leads to increased levels of serotonin in the brain.
   It is this serotonin that is responsible for the mood changes
   that are observed.
   
   	The focal point of the Wurtman model is the blood-brain
   barrier [ ed : note that the recent rash of AIDS research has
   _confirmed_ the existence of a blood-brain barrier ], where
   blood borne chemicals compete for entry into the brain. One
   of the chemical competitors is tryptophan, an amino acid. Once
   inside the brain, tryptophan is converted into serotonin among
   other things.

   	So how do carbohydrates, which are not necessarily rich
   in tryptophan, cause this?  Carbohydrates cause a release of
   insulin into the bloodstream. A consequence of this insulin
   release is that most of tryptophan's blood-barrier competitors
   are moved into muscles and other tissues.  This raises the
   relative concentration of tryptophan in the blood, and also
   the relative concentration of serotonin in the brain.

      	Voila` ... a tranquilizing effect from what was long sus-
   pected to be a stimulant.  This new evidence is not yet conclu-
   sive, but all new evidence to date is supportive.

   -mike z

    
    Have any of you out there been diagnosed as hypoglycemic?
    
    This is a condition sort of opposite to diabetes (for want of a
    better short description)...further info available if you're interested!
    
    In relevance to the carbohydrate debate.....I've got this condition,
    and I can guarantee that if I eat carbs I will be sweating and weeping
    within two hours. Apparently hypo-g is one of the most mis-diagnosed
    conditions of all time - people (especially ladies) tend to be written
    off as neurotic by their doctors .....
    
    Have any of you experienced this sort of reaction?
    
    Abigail

    	If you were diagnosed as hypoglycemic more then 3 years ago,
    and if the test given was the glucose tolerance test (you drink
    a very sweet liquid, then give blood samples every hour), you might
    want to consider repeating it.
    
    	This test is known now to place an unrealistic demand on the
    pancreas to produce insulin. Some people who have mild pancreas
    dysfunction will be diagnosed as hypoglycemic incorrectly.  The
    newer test uses a less concentrated sugar solution.
    
    	True hypoglycemia is relatively uncommon ... approx 30% of those
    diagnosed with it before 1984 actually have it.  The actual percentage
    is something like 2% of the population.
    
    -mike z

    Yes, I was diagnosed last fall as definitely being hypoglycemic.
    The 5 hour glucose test proved it even after 3 hours.  I had
    been having symptoms that were all vague, but an article with
    7 of the symptoms suggested that a person be tested. I also
    have diabetes in both sides of my parents. The doctor told me
    that hypoglycemia is a forerunner to diabetes if I didn't get
    it under control. Take off weight, 6 small meals a day and no
    sugar.   He says if it tastes sweet, you can't eat it.   I feel
    alot better since I watch what I eat. No caffeine either as it
    tends to lower your sugar level.
    
    
    Good luck,