Vitamin Information Center

CARBOHYDRATES
Carbohydrates are the body’s main source of fuel—glucose, which is needed by every
cell in our body. They also provide valuable nutrients (vitamins, minerals, and es-
sential fatty acids) and fi bre, which is important for intestinal health.
Food Sources
There are two classes of carbohydrates—simple and complex. Simple carbohydrates
include naturally occurring sugars in milk and fruit, and refi ned sugars (granulated
sugar). There is a major difference among these simple carbohydrates: fruits offer
a range of nutrients and fi bre, while refi ned sugars provide empty calories and lack Macronutrients | 9
nutritional value. Excess sugar consumption is linked to dental caries, obesity, insulin
resistance, high triglycerides, low HDL (good) cholesterol, and compromised immune
function. The World Health Organization recommends reducing sugar intake to below
10 percent of total calories. Aside from candy and baked goods, sugar is also found in
pop, condiments (ketchup, barbecue sauces), juices, ice cream, and other sweets.
Complex carbohydrates include starches and indigestible dietary fi bre. Starches
are found in bread, pasta, rice, beans, and some vegetables. Today many of our
starches are refi ned and processed, which strips the food of its fi bre and nutrients. For
example, white bread, pasta, and rice are much less nutritious, so choose the brown
or whole-grain products.
Dietary fi bre is found in fruits, vegetables, beans, and the indigestible parts of
whole grains such as wheat and oat bran. In addition to supporting intestinal health
and proper elimination, fi bre also improves blood sugar balance, lowers cholesterol,
reduces the risk of colon and breast cancer, and plays a role in weight management.
The recommended intake of fi bre for adults 50 years and younger is 38 g for
men and 25 g for women; for men and women over 50 it is 30 and 21 g per day,
respectively, due to decreased food consumption. Sadly, most people get only one-
third to one-half of the recommended amount. To boost fi bre intake, incorporate
more raw vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes in your diet and consider a
fi bre supplement.
Glycemic Index
The glycemic index (GI) is a scale that measures how quickly carbohydrates are broken
down into sugar. Those that are broken down quickly—such as simple carbohydrates
and refi ned starches—have a high GI. Foods that are broken down slowly—such as
most vegetables, fruits, and unprocessed grains—have a low GI.
Numerous studies have linked high-GI diets to obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 di-
abetes, and increased risk of heart disease. Eating high-GI foods can lead to blood sugar
imbalances that may result in fatigue, increased appetite, and food cravings. For these
reasons, it is best to minimize high-GI foods and maximize your intake of low-GI foods.
See Appendix B for more information on the GI and the rating for common foods.

An excellent way to control your acne is a balanced diet and making sure to supplement your diet with the proper nutrients and vitamins. Pay attention to the appearance of your skin because it is often times a reflection what we put into our bodies. Find ways to make both your body and skin fit with your diet.

Start with food What might affect one person may not affect another because all of our bodies are different. Diary your food intake and compare your food consumption to your breakouts. Notice if your complexion changes when you eliminate certain drinks or food groups from your diet like dairy, caffeine, and refined sugars, which are all common breakout triggers.

Daily Hydration Moisturize multiple times a day and drink plenty of water and other healthy beverages to keep hydrated. It’s imperative that you don’t let yourself get thirsty. It is a common misnomer that when your skin is taut and dry that it is clean. Although it may be, when your skin is too try it overcompensates by producing more oil, which will in turn clog your pores.

Vitamin A: Make sure you have enough Foods that contain vitamin A include egg yolks, spinach, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, and beef. A supplement is available and beneficial too. With enough vitamin A in your body, your skin will rebuild itself more effectively by expediting the healing of existing acne and reducing dry, flaky skin. There is also proof that those with severe acne may have low levels of vitamin A in their system.

The new buzzword: antioxidants Alpha-lipoic acid and vitamins C and E are beneficial antioxidants. They are obtainable through foods like potatoes, broccoli, citrus fruits, seeds, and green leafy vegetables, and of course through supplements. Antioxidants fight off harmful free radicals in the environment that can damage the skin, which makes antioxidants important to any diet. Alpha lipoic acid is helpful in skin renewal, which aids in diminishing acne scars, some studies say.

About omega 3, don’t forget If you have black heads or very dry skin that could be a sign that you, like many of us, do not consume enough of this essential fatty acid. Omega 3 is in fish or fish oil supplements and controls oil production and maintains skin hydration.

Vegetarians need more zinc If you are a vegetarian or if you do not include a lot of shell fish or poultry (like chicken or oysters) in your diet, you may have a hard time consuming enough zinc. A zinc supplement may be helpful because zinc aids in controlling your skin’s oil production.
by Sara Musfeldt

All forms of bariatric surgery can be classified as either malabsorptive, restrictive, or a combination of the two. It’s important to understand these terms, because they will have an impact on your lifestyle and long-term health after your weight loss surgery.
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