Sheryl wrote:
> Carbohydrates are a macronutrient that we need in order to live.
<snip>
But everyone needs some carbohydrates in their diet.

Michael Anthony wrote:
> This is not true at all. There are essential fatty acids and essential
proteins that we need to get from our diet in order to live. But there are
no essential carbohydrates.

It's true that there is no such thing as an "essential carbohydrate" in the
sense that there are essential proteins and essential fatty acids.  But that
does not mean that carbohydrate in some form isn't an essential part of
nutrition.  The brain does not release seritonin except in the presence of
carbohydrate, for example.  Seritonin has many complex functions, including a
sense of satiation when eating, a sense of emotional well-being.
Insufficient seritonin is linked with depression and migraines, among other
things.

This is discussed in a very interesting book I read called "The Sugar
Addict's Total Recovery Program" by Kathleen DesMaisons.  She did a Ph.D. in
the physiology of addiction, and this is basically a "for the masses" version
of her dissertation--very fascinating reading.

     - Sheryl