Carbohydrate level, fluctuation

Although carbohydrates/polysaccharides exist in such huge amounts, their industrial processing is expensive due to enormous quality fluctuations of succeeding raw material batches. The reason for these fluctuations is a high variability on the molecular level, particularly in the degree of polymerization distribution, in branching characteristics, and in complex interactive properties. 

The liver is uniquely situated to process and distribute dietary nutrients because the venous drainage of the gut and pancreas passes through the hepatic portal vein before entry into the general circulation. Thus, after a meal, the liver is bathed in blood containing absorbed nutrients and elevated levels of insulin secreted by the pancreas. During the absorptive period, the liver takes up carbohydrates, lipids, and most amino acids. These nutrients are then metabolized, stored, or routed to other tissues. Thus, the liver smooths out potentially broad fluctuations in the availability of nutrients for the peripheral tissues. 

Interest in the rise in plasma glucose levels following consumption of different starchy foods arose because of health concerns for diabetes. Certain diabetics require a specific schedule of energy intake throughout the day. These patients require a constant supply of carbohydrate but must avoid drastic increases or fluctuations in the concentration of plasma glucose. Consequently, their nutritional treatment includes instructions to avoid rapidly absorbed sugars (mono-and disaccharides) and to consume the more slowly absorbed starches. 

Thus, both basic and clinical data show Hb A levels reflect the patient s mean blood glucose level for the preceding weeks to months. Hb A levels are not Influenced by snort term fluctuations in blood sugar. Infrequent quantification of Hb A. concentration in the blood of diabetic outpatients can objectively and accurately assess the quality of carbohydrate control, a feature unique to the measurement. This should allow more optimal adjustment of therapy for diabetics. Furthermore, Hb A measured serially in a prospective study can be used to better define the relationship between carbohydrate control and the development of the sequelae of chronic diabetes. 

Much has been said in the past about the importance of the carbohydrate-nitrogen relationship in symbiosis, whatever that means. Certainly, the amount of nitrogen obtained as fixed nitrogen from the soil does influence nitrogen fixation, but in the final analysis it is not some hypothetical carbon-nitrogen ratio in the plant that is of first importance carbohydrate is the major controlling substance, the level of which fluctuates with the amount of nitrogen available to the plant (Allison, 1935). 

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