What are glucose, blood glucose and insulin?<\/h2>\n
Let us begin by saying what glucose and blood glucose are. The first is the sugar used by cells to produce energy (many of the foods we eat are transformed into glucose). Blood glucose<\/strong> is its value in the blood, generally expressed in mg\/dl. <\/span>For glucose to enter the cells, however, insulin<\/strong> is needed, a hormone secreted by the pancreas<\/strong>. <\/p>\n We do, however, have a good right arm supporting the pancreas, namely muscle<\/strong>: when stimulated, it is able to let glucose in even without the direct action of insulin, one more reason to keep it trained.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/blockquote>\n Here it is important to remember that glucose spikes<\/strong> or, more precisely, rises in blood glucose<\/strong> and rises in insulin<\/strong> after meals are entirely physiological (the level of sugars in the blood obviously rises depending on the food consumed and, in healthy people, returns to baseline levels within a couple of hours precisely thanks to insulin production). When, on the other hand, insulin is not produced in sufficient quantity or when the body is unable to use it appropriately, a large and\/or prolonged rise in blood glucose occurs, which, in the long run, represents a health risk. <\/p>\n In general, a good glucose curve<\/strong> is one that shows low fluctuations after a meal and quickly returns to stability.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Usually, blood glucose is measured while fasting, and a value that is too high is a warning sign of a condition of prediabetes<\/strong> or diabetes<\/strong>. But a single spot value is of little use: just like blood pressure, it can in fact be influenced by a great many factors. More indicative measurements are the glucose curve<\/strong> (after taking a glucose solution) and glycated hemoglobin<\/strong>, which makes it possible to assess the average trend of blood glucose over the last 3 months: these tests are normally prescribed by the physician precisely when diabetes or prediabetes is suspected. <\/p>\n The average value (glycated hemoglobin), however, does not account for how blood glucose fluctuates at different times of the day (an expression of glycemic variability<\/strong>). And it is exactly from here that SoLongevity<\/strong> wants to start, to offer a precision nutrition<\/strong> service that aims not only at weight loss<\/strong>, but that has a significant impact on the prevention of diabetes and other pre-pathological and pathological conditions. <\/p>\n The SoLongevity Precision Nutrition Program<\/strong> involves a period of blood glucose monitoring for about 2 weeks<\/strong>, dynamically and continuously, through a patch<\/strong>, that is, the CGM sensor <\/strong>(Continuous Glucose Monitoring<\/em><\/strong>, normally used in patients with diabetes): a small device that is applied to the arm, painlessly and non-invasively.<\/p>\n The data are analyzed by an expert dietitian<\/strong>, and compared with information on meals and daily activities. It is as if, instead of snapshots, we could have a film that allows us to see how different behaviors, different food choices and different lifestyle habits \u2014 including physical activity, sleep, stress management and so on \u2014 influence endocrine and metabolic parameters, individual by individual. <\/p>\n Monitoring blood glucose with the CGM sensor is certainly not intended to eliminate fluctuations in blood glucose, something that would not be possible to achieve, also because it is not compatible with life: the aim is to increase awareness of one’s own lifestyle and of its effects on one’s metabolic health.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n It is now well known that the habitual consumption of sugars, refined flours, processed and ultra-processed products leads to real endocrine<\/strong>, metabolic<\/strong> and inflammatory<\/strong> stress.<\/p>\n As explained by Ilaria Bertini<\/strong>, a dietitian who collaborates with SoLongevity, what we eat and our lifestyle can generate and fuel endocrine-metabolic-inflammatory dysfunctions<\/strong> at both the microscopic (molecular) and macroscopic (phenotypic) level. Most of these dysfunctions \u201cwork\u201d insidiously for years before damage or disease appears, and they accelerate aging<\/strong>. <\/p>\n Unfortunately, they are very difficult to detect with conventional diagnostics: \u201cMetabolic health, that is, the ability to manage energy as well as possible, is fundamental for healthy aging. Wide, continuous fluctuations of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia overlap, in fact, with oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, glycation, hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, which then, in a cascade, can lead to actual metabolic syndrome<\/strong>, to neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases<\/strong>, and can also contribute to profoundly altering hormonal and immune system balance<\/strong>\u201d. <\/p>\n As we anticipated, glycemic variability<\/strong> is a relatively new parameter that is not part of conventional diagnostics. The CGM sensor measures interstitial glucose<\/strong>, that is, the sugars that pass from the capillary to the cell. What can we observe? For example \u2014 Bertini explains \u2014 how much blood glucose rises in the post-prandial state, but also how quickly it returns to baseline values and the difference from pre-prandial values. In this way it is possible to establish, among other things, person by person, the correct ratio between macronutrients<\/strong> such as proteins<\/strong> and carbohydrates<\/strong>. <\/p>\n The quality of food can also influence blood glucose, as can eating in company in a relaxed atmosphere or after stress at work, being outdoors or indoors. Again: a sleepless or restless night can alter the glycemic response to the first meal of the day. Finally, of course, the positive effect of physical activity (that is, of using the muscles) on the rise in blood glucose after meals is well known. <\/p>\n In women, there are also differences linked to the hormonal phase. For example, generally in the follicular phase (in the first two weeks of the menstrual cycle), women have better insulin sensitivity and better resilience to stress, and handle fasting very well. In the luteal phase, that is, when menstruation approaches, insulin resistance increases and they tolerate stress and fasting with great difficulty. Being aware of this allows us to intervene with tailored approaches. <\/p>\n For the first 4-5 days of monitoring, those taking part in the program must continue to behave normally, according to their usual habits: working days and weekends, outings with friends, dinners, aperitifs, and so on. In the other 10 days, on the other hand, the dietitian gives instructions: changing the time of a meal or changing the proportion between nutrients, modifying the quantity of an ingredient in a recipe. Day after day, small improvements are implemented that represent a real action of prevention and health optimization. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ilaria Bertini was among the speakers at SoLongevity’s “In-Clinic Meetups”. Find out what they are, relive the events and register to take part free of charge in the next meetings. <\/strong><\/p>\n Are “glucose spikes” always dangerous?<\/h2>\n
What is glycated hemoglobin for?<\/h2>\n
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<\/div>\n SoLongevity Clinic<\/h2>\n
Measuring blood glucose with the patch<\/h2>\n
What is metabolic health?<\/h2>\n
Interpreting blood glucose monitoring<\/h2>\n
In women: how does the menstrual cycle affect blood glucose?<\/h2>\n
What happens during monitoring with the CGM sensor?<\/h2>\n
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<\/div>\n Iscriviti agli incontri in Clinica<\/h2>\n