FUNCTIONS

1. Energy source.
2. Component of nucleic acids (ribose, deoxyribose)
3. Modification of proteins through glycosylation
 Glycemic control is important in diabetes because hyperglycemia leads to development
and progression of microvascular (nephropathy, retinopathy, neuropathy) and
macrovascular (atherosclerosis 2-4x) complications
 Polysaccharides and disaccharides are nonabsorbable polymers which must be
converted first into monosaccharides before being absorbed in the small intestines.
 Intermediate products of glucose metabolism: pyruvic acid, lactic acid and
acetylcoenzyme A
 End products of glucose metabolism: carbon dioxide, water, and ATP

ENZYMES RESPONSIBLE IN CHO CATABOLISM

1. Pancreatic and salivary amylases
 Converts nonabsorbable polysaccharides into disaccharides and dextrins
2. Maltase, sucrase, lactase
 Converts maltose, sucrose, and lactose into monosaccharides.
 Happens in the microvilli of small intestines
 Inherited deficiencies of lactase predispose an individual to lactose intolerance