Join The Revolution I

Join The Revolution I

I will tell you how our bodies use the food we eat generally.Because a fellow has brought it up, I will hereby clarify that this is only the basic and general information for the noobs. This has nothing to do with Ketosis, lipolysis or gluconeogenesis which are related to starvation or special diets.

Pancreas

Pancreas is a gland located near the stomach. Inside are cluster cells, special cells, that secrete two types of hormones, pancreatic hormones,Insulin and Glucagon, into bloodstream to regulate blood glucose level aka blood sugar level. Cluster cells are divided into two groups, Beta Cells and Alpha Cells, Beta Cells producing Insulin and the latter, Glucagon.

Insulin

When there is a lot of glucose, for example, after a meal, in the bloodstream, Beta Cells in the Pancreas releases Insulin. The secreted insulin urges cells in the body to absorb glucose flowing in the blood stream, at the same time signaling the liver to convert to grab glucose and convert it into Glycogen.It is done as glucose in the blood stream must be maintained within range. Excessive amount of glucose in the bloodstream is too dangerous for the body.

Glucagon

It is a hormone produced by the Alpha Cells in the Pancreas when glucose level in the bloodstream falls below range. This hormone instructs liver to convert back the Glycogen into Glucose and release it back into the bloodstream.This way, our blood glucose level is maintained within range.The Other Function of Pancreas is secreting enzymes to break fat, starch and proteins, playing an important role in digestion.

Pancreas, Liver and Gallbladder works together, releasing digestive juices to digest the foods we eat.* That is why I always tell people to drink just a bit of water or whatever drink a few minutes before and within half an hour after a meal to avoid interrupting digestion *Now, lets have a look at types of carbs and their effects on insulin level.There are two main types of carbs as we all know, simple carbs and complex carbs.

Complex carbs are divided into two types, starches and dietary fibers. Dietary fibers are also known as Very Complex Carbs.Our body run on Glucose. Carbs, proteins, and fats are macronutrients just like multi vitamins and multi minerals, but they are needed in large quantities. Because Carbs are more easily converted into Glucose than proteins and fats, it is our body's preferred source of energy.

Simple carbs include glucose, fructose, lactose. Table Sugar is called sucrose. Fruits contain simple carbs as well.What happens when we consume simple carbs ? Because they are basically sugar, these carbs are absorbed into the bloodstream very quickly, causing pancreas to secrete insulin as there is a sharp rise in blood glucose level. But, pancreas supposes that there is too much glucose in your bloodstream and releases excessive amount of insulin. As such, not only the glucose that needs to be drive into your cells but insulin also force certain amount of the rest of the glucose in the bloodstream into the cells.Blood Sugar Level is supposed to be maintain within range, but, as the level fall below the set point because of excessive insulin, you will start to feel hungry.That is why we always say that sugar causes insulin spikes, a sudden rise in insulin level, and this insulin spikes are caused by sugar spikes which is a sudden rise in blood sugar level.This is detrimental to our health as it can lead to impaired glucose tolerance, insulin insensitivity and type 2 diabetes.In contrast, complex carbs are slowly broken down into glucose, without causing insulin spikes. That is where complex carbs score the first point against simple carbs. They are called complex carbs because their structure is complex and it takes time for the body to metabolize * break them down into usable stuff * them.

Very Complex Carbs are dietary fibers. The body lacks the enzymes to metabolize these fibers, hence, they literally go through our body undigested.Still, fibers are still a healthy choice as they improve the body's ability to process waste efficiently + they make us full longer ( good for dieters, right? I will give the dieters who never feel full some tips later). They also help prevent various types of diseases. So, eat your fibers.Speaking of simple carbs, people experience so called " Energy Crash " about an hour after drinking red bull or the likes as a pre workout energy drink. Why ?Though other cells in the body can make use of fatty acids, your brain cells only rely on Glucose. When there is a fall in glucose level within bloodstream because of excessive amount of insulin, CNS is affected, hence, you feel giddy.We now know that insulin is an anabolic which is needed for our cells to receive glucose.

Carbs Benefits

Carbs greatly benefit the body most when it comes to energy supply. When carbs are consumed, they are broken down into sugar then immediately converted into glucose. Glucose then is absorbed through the walls of intestine into the bloodstream to be distributed into cells, including muscle cells, or stored as glycogen.As stated above, they are body's preferred source energy, as such, when the body needs energy, it first looks for glucose from carbohydrates. When we are on low carb diet or we have metabolic disorders which prevents normal use of available glucose, the body will use the glycogen stored in cells and liver as there is insufficient supply of glucose. If this is not enough, it will break down our muscle proteins, hence, we lose muscles.Having sufficient glucose prevent the body from using our muscle proteins for energy.Without adequate supply of glucose, our brain function is affected and reduced as well.Moreover, certain carbs provide healthy bacteria in the gut with nutrients, thus, improving digestion.The benefits of fibrous carbs were mentioned above.Carbs also are rich in minerals, vitamins and phytochemicals.As it is, carbs are important for both physical and mental performance and health.So, carbs are good for health and much needed for numerous reasons. Just that simple carbs can cause insulin spikes which can cause long term health side effects.That having said, we can still use simple carbs wisely. As intense exercises deplete muscle glycogen, it is best that we use fast acting carbs right after workout to cause insulin spike which would wipe blood sugar into muscles and liver as fast as possible.

The same applies to breakfast.While it is a good idea for healthy individuals, it is not advisable for people with insulin related health problems.Healthy individuals should also limit the amount of simple carbs to be taken in for their breakfast and pre workout meals.

Let me share some secret with you by giving you an example.Here is an analogy between a chemical process and our body's insulin response;

If you pour acid into a vessel with water, there will be chemical reaction and smoke will rise up. The faster your pour the acid, the more smoke will come out.

In contrast, adding the acid slowly into the vessel will keep the reaction weak and less smoke will appear.Lets assume that there is "A" chemical in a vessel with the temperature set point of 5 degree C." B " chemical is to be added into the vessel slowly.There will be a reaction between the two chemicals and vessel temperature will go up.

There are two tanks of Glyco. One is used for cooling and the other for heating. The flow from each tank will be controlled by a valve.

Simple Carbs = Fast addition of B chemicalAmount of B chemical = 10 kgNormal blood glucose level = Temperature set point 5 degree

When B chemical is added in no time into the vessel where A chemical is, the reaction will be very strong and temperature will shoot up immediately. Because of a sharp, rapid rise in vessel temperature ( say, 20 Degree C ), the valve that control the cool glyco will open very big ( say, 100 % open ) and quickly in order to get the temperature down to the set poit of 5 degree C.Addition finishes in a blink of an eye but the valve is still open big and there is still cooling liquid flowing. As the vessel temperature go back down to set point, the control valve will slowly shut. But, the valve is still open even when the temperature has been normalized, hence, it is over cooled and the temperature will fall below 5 degree C.So, when you take simple carbs, the valve from beta cells will open big and release a lot of insulin, hence, your blood glucose level fall below set point.Not only the cells will be fed with the glucose from the food you eat, they will also be force fed with the original glucose from your blood stream.

Extra glucose that your muscle cells and liver can't take in anymore will be stored as fat.

What about it? What can we learn from this?Wait, here is another analogy.

Amount of B chemical = 10 kgSimple carbs = fast addition of the first 3 kg of B chemicalComplex Carbs ( Low GI fibrous Carbs ) = slow addition of the other 7 Kb of B chemicalNormal Blood Glucose Level = Vessel Temperature Set point 5 degree C

As you charge in the first 3 kg fast into the vessel, there is a sudden rise in vessel temperature ( say, 10 degree C ) as the reaction is strong bcos of fast addition. Accordingly, the control valve for cool glyco will open fast and bigger ( say, 60 % ).The rest of the B chemical will be charged in very slowly, hence, there is very little reaction and temperature takes much longer time to go up.The temperature sensor detects the stagnation of temperature rise and instructs the control valve to stop opening further.60 % opening releases the cooling liquid which is more than enough to cool back down the vessel to 5 degree C. As such, the excessive flow of cooling liquid will deal with the later part of the chemical reaction which is very weak and cause very little rise in temperature. As the temperature go back down to 5, the control valve will also shut slowly. As blood glucose level goes down, beta cells in the pancreas will release less insulin slowly.There won't be unnecessary fall in vessel temperature and control valve will not have to work as hard as well.

Further more, there won't be force feeding, hence, no fat storage. ( supposing you don't eat more than you need )From here, you should know why you should limit the simple carbs intake and how to make best use of the situation.The faster the addition is the faster and higher the temperature will go up and the bigger the control valve will open releasing more cold glyco. High GI carbs cause a sudden and big rise in glucose and it will make beta cells from pancreas to release a large amount of insulin. But, how big the valve will open depends on the amount of chemical you add. How much insulin will be released depend on the total amount of High GI carbs you consume. Adding the rest of the chemical slowly balance out everything, likewise making the rest of the carbs intake fibrous, low GI carbs help everything work out.

This way, you can play around with carbs.

That having been said, I don't recommend causing any insulin spike in a body with insulin problems.