Blood Sugar Management

Managing blood sugar levels in the body is an important part of living a longer and healthier life. Today’s lifestyles are becoming more inactive, and when inactivity goes along with poor diets that are high in calories, refined sugars, and saturated and trans fats, an increasing number of people around the world are facing obesity, diabetes and other debilitating illnesses.

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Benefits:
*Regulates blood sugar & insulin levels
*Supports cardiovascular health
*Combats diabetes and obesity
*Assists anabolic functions

Cholesterol and saturated fat are generally mentioned in connection with cardiovascular disease and heart attacks, but high blood sugar and insulin levels are equally dangerous in terms of developing heart disease. Those who are dealing with diabetes on a day to day basis are quite aware of their increased risks, but unfortunately the general public believes that because they are not diabetic there is no concern with long-term elevated blood sugar levels. But the truth of the matter is that high blood sugar for long-term periods can nearly double the risk of heart related problems even when diabetes has not been diagnosed.

Blood sugar level is also an important factor in weight management. When we eat our body’s convert digestible carbohydrates into blood sugar (glucose), which is the body’s main source of energy. It is important to know that blood sugar levels can affect how much hunger we experience and how much energy we can produce. But just as important, blood sugar levels determine whether we burn fat or store it.

Insulin, a hormone produced in the pancreas, is responsible for transporting blood sugar into our body’s cells where it is used for energy. When we eat refined grains that have most of their fibre taken away, sugar, or other carbohydrate-rich foods that are processed quickly into blood sugar, the pancreas goes into overdrive to produce the insulin required for all the blood sugar to be used as energy. When the body thinks that there is lots of energy available it will stop burning fat and start storing it.

Keeping blood sugar and insulin levels within a healthy range is very important in maintaining a healthy body, but in terms of muscle growth and bodybuilding blood sugar and insulin have important roles as well. Insulin is released to manage blood sugar levels. Glucose (blood sugar) is then transported to muscle tissue and fat cells, thereby lowering blood sugar. The upside is that insulin is very anabolic, increases the body’s ability to intake amino acids, replenishes glycogen stores, and stops protein from breaking down during workouts. But the downside is that when insulin is released, it causes the liver to store glucose as glycogen. This is not a problem if the liver requires replenishing, but if the liver is full of glycogen, any extra glucose will be transported to fat cells, leading to unfavourable growth. It is then important to stay on top of your body’s blood sugar and insulin levels to maximize muscle growing potential.