Blood Sugar Roller Coaster Flashcards
What is a blood sugar roller coaster?
When there is too much or too little glucose, or sugar in the blood this triggers a significant stress response in the body. The hormone ghrelin is released when the body is in need of energy, which signals you to begin looking for nourishment.
You eat a simple carb - body breaks it down fast and in blood now it spikes the pancreas to send out insulin
Too much insulin is released & too much blood sugar is taken out of the bloodstream — energy crash
The body sends a signal to eat more sugar - the cycle repeats
How is food processed in the body?
Mouth, Stomach, Small Intestines, Large Intestines
Mouth - chewing & saliva (2. Enzymes begin to break down starches and fats)
Stomach - muscles breakdown food, hydrochloric acid, pepsin, lipase continue to breakdown proteins and fats - food becomes chyme (liquid state)
Small Intestines - allows time for nutrients to be absorbed, gallbladder and pancreas do their part to continue the breakdown and absorption, glucose is absorbed into bloodstream
Large Intestine - eliminates what cannot be digested or absorbed
What can lead to diabetes?
Frequent high blood sugar or extended periods of this can lead to health challenges such as damage to your nerves, blood vessels, organs and can lead to diabetes.
What is insulin’s role in the body?
It determines the body’s ability to utilize blood sugar. When it is released from the pancreas, it binds to a cell’s receptors which causes the cell to unlock the channel in which glucose can pass into the cell and eventually be converted into energy or ATP.
How does the body use glucose when it doesn’t need it?
It is stored first in the liver and muscles as glycogen short term (glycogenesis). When these reserves are full, the body looks to store the excess long term as lipids or fatty acids. Long term cannot be converted back into glucose, but most go through ketogenesis which turns fatty acids into ketone bodies.
What is ketogenesis?
When long term stored glucose as fatty acids are converted to ketone bodies instead of back to glucose for energy.
What is the body’s preferred energy source?
Glucose is the preferred source, but it can also obtain energy from amino acids or proteins as well as fats.
What are simple carbs?
They are carbohydrates that are digested and absorbed quickly and provide a quick burst or energy followed by a crash.
Examples -
Lactose - milk sugar
Fructose - sugar in honey and fruit
Maltose - produced in the breaking down of starch
What are complex carbs?
Carbohydrates that take longer to break down and don’t spike blood sugar levels.
Examples -
Millet
Quinoa
Brown rice
Beans
Legumes
Vegetables
What are processed sugars and their effects?
Forms of processed sugars are white sugar or sucrose and are disguised in many processed foods making it easy to over consume. (“Added sugars”)
Because the fiber, vitamins, and minerals from the plant have been removed, it forces the body to pull from its own reserves for micronutrients.
What happens when you have low blood sugar reaction?
One may experience brain fog, difficulty concentrating, impatience, nervousness, heart palpitations, excess sweating, light-headedness, nausea, fatigue, or moodiness.
What happens when you have a high blood sugar reaction?
One may experience hyper anxiousness, increased thirst, headaches, irritability, hyper active
What are the biological effects of the sugar roller coaster?
Mood disorders, increased risk for cancer, weight gain
What are ways to balance blood sugar?
Increasing water intake and protein
