Question

Describe recommendations for carbohydrate intake and health risks caused by low or excessive intakes.
Describe the regulation of blood glucose, conditions caused by blood glucose imbalance, and types of diabetes.

Answer 1

According to the dietary guidelines of America an average adult need 45 -65 % of calories from their carbohydrate. Carbohydrate contains 4 calories per gram .Hence an individual must take 225 to 325 grams carbohydrate in a day.

High intake of carbohydrate cause high metabolism in the body and results in high blood glucose level and leads to weight gain.The diseases associated with high carbohydrate intake are

• Obesity.
• Non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.
• Cardiovascular disease.
• Dental caries.
• High cholesterol level.
• Hypertension.
• Metabolism syndrome.

Low carbohydrate intake leads to

• Cardiovascular disease.
• Cerebrovascular disease.
• Cancer.
• Cardiac arrhythmia.
• Sudden death.
• Osteoporosis.

Regulation of blood glucose is controlled by endocrine hormones of the pancreas. The hormone include in this are insulin,glucagon ,somatostain and amylin.Insulin lowers the blood glucose level whereas glucagon increases the blood glucose level according to the need.Somatostatin is known as the policeman of pancreas,and controls the insulin and glucagon and is secreted in the delta cells in the pancreas. Amylin helps to increase the satiety.

After the intake of carbohydrate rich food the pancreas release insulin ,glucose from the blood stream enter the liver and stimulating enzymes and convert it into glycogen.when body needs glucose glucagon converts glycogen to glucose.

• High blood glucose level leads to hyperglycemia, and diabetes mellitus.
• Low blood glucose level cause hypoglycemia.