Day 014 - 20 Jul 94 - Page 37
1 could help to boost blood glucose level; it could help to
overcome fatigue.
2
MR. RAMPTON: Can we turn now to sodium, Professor Wheelock,
3 page 152.
4 MR. MORRIS: That last part was about intrinsic sugar.
5
MR. JUSTICE BELL: Yes.
6
MR. MORRIS: The extrinsic one is 5.6.3.
7
MR. RAMPTON: Shall I read 5.6.3?
8
MR. JUSTICE BELL: You had better.
9
MR. RAMPTON: "The Panel agreed that non-milk extrinsic sugars
10 intake should be limited because of their role in dental
caries. However, the Panel recognized that the data in
11 support of any specific quantified targets for non- milk
extrinsic sugars intake were scanty.
12
"5.6.4 Guidance on high Intakes. When non- milk
13 extrinsic sugars are consumed in excess of about 200
g./day- or as you say half a pound a day- or 30 per cent
14 of dietary energy, undesirable elevations in plasma
concentrations of glucose, insulin and lipids may occur.
15 Such intakes should be avoided, and those who have intakes
of this order should replace the excess with starch or
16 intrinsic sugars. For some people with low energy
requirements and intakes, relatively high non- milk
17 extrinsic sugars intake may compete with foods which
provide other nutrients, and potentially compromise
18 micronutrient intakes. Such individuals, particularly
women or the elderly, should exercise special care in
19 making dietary choices." That is, I think as you told us,
because sugar does not contain anything valuable except
20 energy?
A. That is right.
21
Q. Can we then pass to the sodium chapter 25 on page 152? I
22 will read if I may 25.1 "Function and Essentiality. Sodium
(Na) is the principal cation in extracellular fluid where
23 it exists in its ionised state. Its physiological roles
include the maintenance of (i) extracellular fluid volume
24 which is closely related to total body Na content, (ii)
extracellular fluid oncotic pressure, (iii) acid base
25 balance, (iv) electrophysiological phenomena in muscle and
nerves and (v) the generation of transmembrane gradients
26 which enable the energy dependent uptake ofnutrients (e.g.
Amino acids and hexosoes) by cells including those of the
27 intestinal mucosa and renal tubules." Professor Wheelock,
I am afraid I do not have sufficient physiology or
28 biochemistry to be able to ask you any questions about
that, except this: What conclusion should one draw about
29 the necessity or otherwise of sodium as a part of one's
diet from looking at that paragraph?
30 A. Well, the important thing to note is that sodium does
play an important part in the bodily functions. It is
