On Fri, 3 Aug 2001 12:19:50 -0400, Todd Moody <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:

>
>> But it contains TPP, an active form of vitamin B1 you can easily become
>> short of.
>>
>> So I only eat paleolithic (or megalithic) carbohydrates,
>> which contain lots of the stuff.
>
>What if the problem is not the absence of TPP but some other
>factor that interferes with its proper utilization?

I have read about some other interferences to energy metabolism in this
area. So far only one thing I encountered that might inhibit
the steps concerned and that is toxins.
Toxins are reported to exist which can cross-link some of the involved
molecules, such as the vitamins b1-b2-b3. And some gut bacteria can produce
them, clostridia.

However the carbohydrate-specific part are only a few steps, first to
pyruvate, then the one big molecule from pyruvate to the CAC-Cycle.
The rest of all, including the activity of b2, b3, is the same for fats.

It's even the same for gluconeogenesis for some amino acids.
Four (of 21) amino acids end up in pyruvate (these may be the insulin
elevating ones). Some others in acytyl-CoA (like fats) some other in
ketones, some other in intermediates in the CAC. Each amino acid has its own
pathway of gluconeogenesis.

And what makes carbohydrates different?
Only the very first glycolysis step, and the pyruvate dehydrogenase step.
If we find the exact reasons which disable this it would be a great help for
society. I think unavailable TPP is likely to have at least it's share in
it.

Amadeus