Blood Sugar Regulation
When we consume sugar our pancreas secretes insulin into the blood; a hormone which facilitates the transport of glucose to insulin sensitive tissues such as the muscles and liver; both major consumers of glucose. If our sugar intake has been insufficient, the pancreas secretes glucagon, another hormone, which signals the release of stored glucose from the liver.
These two hormones are primary regulators of blood sugar, wherefore proper functioning of the pancreas is essential for maintaining optimal blood sugar levels.
However, many other hormones likewise affect our blood sugar levels; hormones directly related to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis*) and the thyroid gland regulate sugar concentrations in the blood; hormones such as cortisol, HGH, adrenalin, ACTH, thyroxine, somatostatin all significantly modulate blood sugar levels.
Whence our sugar metabolism is compromised; we may experience discomfort, weakness or tiredness following the consumption of fruit juice, for example.
* A major regulatory feedback system: controlling numerous physiological activities.
Suboptimal Blood Sugar Levels
Insulin resistance, non-insulin dependent diabetes, insulin dependent diabetes are different stages of the same issue: the body's inability to properly regulate blood sugar levels. The differences are noticeable in the severity of the dis-order.
The early stages of insulin resistance and glucose intolerance are present among numerous people, many without knowledge thereof.
Insulin resistance may be present 10–20 years before the onset of diabetes, and insulin resistance is a consistent signifier of the presence of type 2 diabetics (1, 2).
The dysfunction is characterized by decreased insulin sensitivity, hyperglycemia, offset secretion of insulin, hypercortisolemia and dyslipidemia/hyperlipidemia in blood and tissues accompanied by inflammation, destroying cells and tissues; leading to further insulin insensitivity, hyperglycemia, offset insulin secretion: a self-reinforcing detrimental cycle leading directly towards increasingly severe manifestations of the dis-order in the body, hence many diabetics often develop further degenerative dis-eases such as cardiovascular dis-orders (8).
Is it possible to step out of this harmful degenerating cycle, and enter a regenerating course; characterized by increased insulin sensitivity, normoglycemia, well-balanced insulin secretion and normolipidemia, with an internal environment promoting the strengthening of tissues, inflammation reduction and overall cellular rejuvenation; a self-reinforcing healing cycle?
If yes, how?
First we must become aware of the driving force steering the course in this vicious cycle.
What causes the Diabetes?
Modern day lifestyles promote overconsumption of calorie dense, nutrient less, foods, whilst little physical activity and much undue stress are major culprits in the development diabetes, since this lifestyle fosters oxidative stress and inflammation; a foundation supporting the formation of many degenerative dis-eases.
If the body's ecology is chronically exposed to oxidative stress and inflammation our tissues slowly disintegrate; slowly rendering the endocrine glands incapable of responding appropriately to incoming stimuli such as the ingestion of food or a stressful environment, and hence our body's hormonal output becomes unbalanced; which, for example, results in our body's eventual inability to balance blood sugar levels.
Significant pro-inflammatory inducing agents are found in abundance in meat and dairy. The intake of these high-fat products results in a state of acute hyperlipidemia and over time a chronic state of hyperlipidemia (and dyslipidemia), these conditions may by themselves induce insulin resistance (3, 4), however constant high levels of fat intake additionally creates oxidative stress and inflammation, causing the pancreas and other tissues to degenerate (5, 6); further exacerbating the dis-order. Furthermore, meat and dairy induce postprandial inflammation (7), possibly due to high levels of lipopolysaccharides and Neu5Gc, two potent pro-inflammatory substances found in meat and dairy (9, 10). Eating these foods on a daily basis is a significant factor in developing insulin resistance and eventually diabetes.
Questions or suggestions?
References
1) Warram J.H. et al. 1990. Slow glucose removal rate and hyperinsulinemia precede the development of type II diabetes in the offspring of diabetic patients.
Ann. Intern. Med. 113:909–915.
2) Lillioja S. et al. 1988. Impaired glucose tolerance as a disorder of insulin action. Longitudinal and cross-sectional studies in Pima Indians.
N. Engl. J. Med. 318:1217–1225.
3) Nutritional effects of fat on carbohydrate metabolism
Boden and Carnell 2003
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4) Dietary fat and insulin action in humans
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6) Role of metabolically generated reactive oxygen species for lipotoxicity in pancreatic β-cells.
Gehrmann W, Elsner M, Lenzen S.
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7) The capacity of foodstuffs to induce innate immune activation of human monocytes in vitro is dependent on food content of stimulants of Toll-like receptors 2 and 4.
Erridge C.
Br J Nutr. 2011 Jan;105(1):15-23.
8) Mortality from Coronary Heart Disease in Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes and in Nondiabetic Subjects with and without Prior Myocardial Infarction.
Haffner SM et al.
N Engl J Med 1998; 339:229-234
9) Accumulation of stimulants of Toll-like receptor (TLR)-2 and TLR4 in meat products stored at 5 °C.
Erridge C.
J Food Sci. 2011 Mar;76(2)72-9.
10) Diversity in specificity, abundance, and composition of anti-Neu5Gc antibodies in normal humans: potential implications for disease.
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Glycobiology. 2008 Oct;18(10):818-30.
Diabetes - Blood Sugar Imbalances