I am writing as an Exercise Science Professor Emeritus about the column “Fueling your life: The power of smart nutrition” (Herald, Mar. 19), a once again disturbingly irresponsible column full of misinformation.
The author is a seemingly well-educated individual who holds a doctorate in sports nutrition and chronic disease and is also a registered dietitian. Her degrees make her latest statements even more baffling.
The article states “One common misconception is that carbohydrates are essential for energy. In reality they are the only macronutrient the body doesn’t require.” This is blatantly false.
The preferred fuels for human bodies are carbohydrate and fat. They are metabolized depending on the intensity and duration of the activity. The body will metabolize carbohydrate for anaerobic activities and in fact carbohydrate is the only fuel for glycolysis which kind of makes it required.
Fat becomes the major substrate metabolized for aerobic activities and a mixture of the two is used in activities that include both anaerobic and aerobic components as well as being more efficient in terms of O2 consumption.
Her further statement “Instead, a diet rich in quality proteins and healthy fats provides the body with steady, long-lasting energy” is misleading at best. Protein is indeed important for building and repairing muscle but only a very small percentage of it is used as fuel and only when carbohydrate stores have been depleted.
Please be critical thinkers and readers and check your own reliable sources.
Jim Cross
Durango