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

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