Yes… when consumed in excess, carbohydrates are toxic to our system.  For this discussion, carbohydrate refers to sugar and starch (such as bakery, most fruit, grains and potatoes).

Humans can store very little carbohydrate for our immediate energy needs.  For most of us, our liver can make all the carbohydrate we need.  Since an individual can store only about ¼ pound of glycogen (the storage form of sugar), the excess beyond ¼ pound is stored as fat!

That’s right… Those extra pounds didn’t come from the fat you consumed, but from the carbohydrate you consumed and didn’t use for energy.  Although individuals differ in their ability to burn carbs based on many variables (i.e. age, amount of muscle, genetics, etc.), 50 to 100 grams of low glycemic load carbohydrate is adequate for most people.

What else happens when excess carbs are consumed?  The complex process of converting excess carbohydrate into fat storage sets off a cascade of destructive hormonal and other physiological activities that overload the system and can lead to disease and health issues.

Beware of excess carbohydrate consumption!

Note:  The addictive (yes, addictive!) properties of carbohydrates will be discussed in another blog.