1 in 4 adults around the world have diabetes or raised blood sugar - let’s fix this!
Over the next few blogs we are going to try and understand diabetes, probably the most important condition to control so that you can lead a happy healthy life. Firstly we will look at how a healthy body deals with increases in sugar (glucose) through eating.
Almost one in three adults in the United States and almost one in four adults around the world have either diabetes, elevated blood glucose, or are at risk of developing elevated blood glucose. The stats are similar for the UK which means it is very likely that someone you know has this problem. If you can understand and learn how to control your blood sugars you can help yourself and your loved ones reach their full physical mental and emotional potential.
Healthy adult body should have between 4-6 grams of sugar in the blood, just one teaspoon - no matter if asleep or in the middle of a marathon. Any more then there is grave danger for the brain and body. If you consistently have blood sugar above 6 you will develop diabetes.
Blood glucose regulated by 4 main players.
Energy sensors
Hormones - insulin
Hormone sensors - insulin receptor in almost every cell
Gates
When we eat, digested carbs rush into the blood. Blood glucose goes up within minutes. This is sensed by the pancreas, which releases insulin. Insulin is responsible for opening every cell door to let glucose in so it can be used for energy.
The liver, muscle and fat store most of our glucose to bring blood glucose down. This takes about 1-2 hours after a meal.
Facts
The brain consumes 5g glucose every hour.
Walking briskly you consume 1g if glucose per minute.
These conditions require some glucose being taken from the stores. Or if the store is low we break down proteins to make glucose.
A separate hormone senses hunger and stress signals so the storage tank releases just enough glucose so not to increase blood glucose too much.
After eating the hunger hormones shut down so that the flow of glucose from the liver is stopped. You will now access glucose from the food you just ate.
The eating hormone insulin turns on so that rising blood glucose from the meal can be sent to the liver, muscle and fat. The cycle then continues every time you eat.
