Carbohydrates and sugars

Carbohydrates are metabolized into glucose, which serves as the exclusive source of energy for most bacteria. A low-carbohydrate, insulin-resistant diet, which involves restricting consumption of carbohydrates, is recommended for Marshall Protocol (MP) patients but not required. This diet has certain benefits for MP patients: stabilization of blood sugar, weight loss, and appetite control. Additionally, holding carbohydrate intake at a reasonable level can enhance bacterial death. Conversely, eating more carbohydrates than usual can sometimes moderate intolerable immunopathologyAn unbearable or unsafe severity of bacterial die-off reaction..

A carbohydrate is a composition of one or more sugar molecules. The two main types of sugars are:

• naturally-occurring sugars, such as those in milk (lactose) or fruit (fructose), and
• added sugars, which are those added to foods during processing.

The body breaks down both carbohydrates and sugar into the exact same sugar molecules, so a diet high in carbohydrates will produce the same fuel for bacteria as a diet high in refined sugar. For this reason, the terms carbohydrates and sugars are used synonymously herein.

The Krebs Cycle is part of a metabolic pathway that converts carbohydrates, fats and proteins into a form of energy that can be used by the body. The cycle uses sugar to generate molecules of NADH, which humans use as a source of energy. But bacteria such as Borrelia, Treponema, and possibly others do not have proteins in their genomes that allow them to use NADH as an energy source. Instead, they obtain energy directly from sugar. This means that while humans must wait until sugar is broken down in order to put it to use, some bacteria can use it immediately. Consequently, extra sugar inevitably ends up benefiting the pathogen rather than the host.

Sugar has been shown to affect the immune system in ways not yet completely understood. Sugars in the body often bind to proteins, a process called glycosylation. Once attached to a protein, sugars adjust the protein’s ability to react with other molecules. T-shaped molecules named immunoglobulins have a location at the center of their structure which has a high affinity for sugar. Sugars are attracted to this region and, once attached, stay bonded for long periods of time. It is not yet known what changes sugars induce when bound to immunoglobulins, but their ability to bind these molecules does suggest that sugar can modulate the immune response.

Carbohydrates are metabolized into glucose, which serves as a direct source of energy for most bacteria. Keeping carbohydrate intake to a reasonable level can enhance bacterial death. Since more bacteria are likely to die in a carbohydrate-deprived environment, some MP patients may be able to use carbohydrate intake to modulate the level of their immunopathology. Those patients who experience strong immunopathology should not worry excessively about keeping carbohydrate intake to a minimum since they are experiencing bacterial die-off. Eating more carbohydrates than usual can sometimes moderate intolerable immunopathology.

A growing body of research supports the notion that the gut microbiotaThe bacterial community which causes chronic diseases - one which almost certainly includes multiple species and bacterial forms. feeds on simple carbohydrates,¹⁾ with the small intestinal microbiota driven by rapid uptake and conversion of simple carbohydrates.²⁾ Indeed, a very low-carbohydrate diet has been shown to improve gastroesophageal reflux and its symptoms.³⁾

MP patients, in consultation with their health care practitioners, need to find the level of carbohydrate intake that minimizes their symptoms.

The quality of every calorie counts. Nutritiousness is important. Vegetables may be the best source of the “good carbs,” while whole grains, no matter how highly-touted, are the least beneficial of the acceptable carbs, completely inessential in the human diet, and apt to cause adverse reactions in many. The same can be said for many natural alternatives. Honey, for example, is no more nutritious than table sugar.

It's important to note that just because MP patients restrict carbohydrates, that does not mean they can eat unlimited calories from foods high in fat or protein without experiencing adverse consequences.

Eating high amounts of carbohydrates can exacerbate sugar cravings. These cravings can be curtailed by reducing consumption of carbohydrates to largely low-carb vegetables and fruits.

Other tips:

• Try consuming foods which contain one of the approved artificial sweeteners, such as Splenda or stevia.
• Avoiding foods you should not eat is easier if they are not in your home.
• You can wean yourself from eating highly-sweetened foods by eating small amounts of fresh fruits.
• There are also many processed candy products available made with sugar alcohols that can provide the occasional sweet treat if you can tolerate the laxative side effect. These products are highly refined and should be eaten in moderation so they do not take the place of more wholesome foods.
• Fruit eaten in moderation is fine, especially those that are lower in carbohydrates. Learn which fruits have high nutritional values in relation to their carbs and select those.
• Fruit juice is high in natural sugars, and fruit drinks have added sugar. Choose whole fruit instead. Most people are not tempted to overconsume whole fruit.
• Devise a plan to reduce the sugar you feel you must have. Write the plan down and then stick to it, slowly reducing your refined sugar intake.

Low-carb friendly-vegetables and meats tend to be more expensive than rice, pasta, and breads on a calorie-by-calorie basis. Smart consumers can limit the premium they pay for healthier foods. The following are some tip for eating low-carb on a budget.

• Eat what's in season. This avoids having to pay for the increased transportation, storage and distribution costs of imported food.
• Do as much preparation of food as you can. Bagged salad and skinned chicken will cost more than the original ingredients.
• Many cheaper cuts of meat are just as nutritious as the more expensive ones. Long, slow cooking methods will increase tenderness. Your body does not care if you get your protein from steak and boneless, skinless chicken breast or from hamburger and chicken leg-and-thigh quarters.
• Buy in bulk. When hamburger, butter, canned broth, natural peanut butter, or the like goes on sale, stock up. A freezer lets you take advantage of meat specials.
• Cut way back on eating out. The same food is always far cheaper at home.
• Bag lunches are a great way to use up leftovers.
• One of the lowest carb-and-calorie desserts is also one of the cheapest: store-brand sugar-free gelatin.

Although restricting intake of carbohydrates alone will not resolve existing chronic disease, high amounts of sugar consumption have been implicated in everything from gout to cancer. Carb restrictions can have other benefits as well.

Those who want to lower their blood sugar levels or who are very inactive or who want to lose weight or who want to control their appetite may want to keep their daily carbohydrate count very low. Others are able to progress well on the MP by simply avoiding refined sugars and eating a moderate amount of high-food-value carbohydrates.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD or GORD) typically has symptoms of reflux and heartburn. These symptoms may be relieved by eating a low-carbohydrate diet or by not eating protein and carbohydrates together.

Proteins digest in the stomach, in an acid medium, while carbohydrates digest in the small intestine, in an alkaline medium. This means that eating the two together can trap undigested carbohydrates in your stomach, waiting for proteins to digest, and those carbohydrates can start to ferment in your stomach, leading to indigestion and heartburn. No fun. This is one of the reasons that many people find that reflux clears up on a low-carb diet.

Dana Carpender, HoldtheToast Press

Vegetables lowest in carbohydrates (from low to high):

• sprouts - beans, alfalfa, etc.
• greens – lettuces, spinach, chard, etc.
• hearty greens - collards, mustard greens, kale, etc.
• herbs - parsley, cilantro, basil, rosemary, thyme, etc.
• bok choy
• celery
• radishes
• sea vegetables (nori, etc.)
• broccoli
• cauliflower
• cabbage (or sauerkraut)
• jicama
• avocado
• cucumber (or pickles without added sugars)
• peppers (all kinds)
• summer squash (including zucchini)
• scallions or green onions
• asparagus
• bamboo shoots
• leeks
• brussels sprouts
• snow peas (pods)
• green beans and wax beans
• tomatoes
• eggplant
• artichoke hearts
• fennel
• onions
• okra
• spaghetti squash
• celery root (celeriac)
• carrots
• turnips
• water chestnuts
• pumpkin

Vegetables highest in carbohydrates:

• beets
• carrots
• corn
• parsnips
• peas
• plantains
• potatoes in all forms
• winter squashes (particularly acorn and butternut)

When counting carbohydrates in vegetables, the grams of fiber are not included, so it can be subtracted from the total.

Fruits lowest in sugar:

• rhubarb
• strawberries
• cranberries
• raspberries
• blackberries
• blueberries
• grapefruit
• melons
• apricots
• plums
• peaches
• pears
• guava
• cherries
• apples

Fruits fairly high in sugar:

• grapes
• tangerines
• oranges
• pineapple
• kiwi

Fruits very high in sugar:

• bananas
• dried fruit
• mango
• papaya

It is likely that humans have stuck to any brew containing compounds with psychoactive properties, resulting in a better daily life, i.e., more efficient thinking, exploring, hunting, etc., however, without the serious side effects of drugs of abuse. ⁴⁾

• “We found pasta “Bionaturae” organic made w/whole duram wheat and water-2 ingredients. No folic acid, nothing added. Tastes great! He always thought it was the sauce that made him sick. No, it was the the D.”
• “I have found the Quaker All Natural Cereal has NO added D or Folates! It makes a nice cool breakfast on these hot humid days! I cover it in watered down half and half and add more sliced almonds as they add very few.”
• “We have been eating Eziekel bread and it is absolutely delicious. They even have a cinnamon raisin bread. No flour and no Vit D and no folic acid.”
• “I also find that oats (Quaker) are okay to eat and I do not find Vit d listed in shredded wheat. (I am talking name brands, I do not know about generic.)”
• “The new low-carb tortillas (4 carbs per 8 inch tortilla) are a good alternative to bread.”
• Kavli's “All Natural Whole Grain Crispbread” is low in carbs (no vitamin D or folic acid) and the crispy garlic is very flavorful. You'll find it in the bread aisle.“
• “Brownberry has a bread that is carb controlling and does not contain added vitamin D or folic acid.”
• “Sprouted grain bread made by Healthway called Alpine Chipmunk has no added D and only 2% of the RDA of folic acid per slice.”
• ”Ross Chocolates makes a very good dark chocolate bar.“