3 minutes reading time
(622 words)
Let's Talk Carbs
Over the last couple of weeks, I've explained what insulin is, how it's an essential hormone for everyone (not just those with diabetes), and what happens when we become insulin resistant. Now it's time to talk about carbs and how they play into all of this. But first … a little chuckle :)
Did you know?
When you eat carbohydrates (carbs), your blood sugar rises.
And that's all you need to know folks, so thanks for reading this week's "Tisha Talk." See you next week!
Ok, maybe you need to know a little bit more, but when it comes down to it, the reason carbs are part of every discussion that has to do with losing weight, gaining weight, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Alzheimer's or the list of other non-infectious chronic diseases is because each of those diseases is a direct result of how your body uses insulin. Remember, insulin is produced as a direct response to glucose in your blood. You eat carbs, carbs are turned into glucose, and your pancreas secretes insulin. When you are metabolically healthy (which we know only 7% of the population is), insulin returns your blood sugar to normal. When you aren't metabolically healthy (93% of the population), more and more insulin is produced in response to carb consumption until your cells stop listening and you become insulin resistant.
Dr. Westman used an analogy during a recent lecture that I think perfectly describes this issue. If your kitchen sink is overflowing because the drain is clogged, does it make sense to keep the faucet on full blast, get a bucket, and try to take the water out faster than it's coming in, or would it better to shut off the tap and unclog the drain? While managing a crisis at the moment may be handled one way, if you want to fix a problem, you have to address the cause, which is why I started this topic with the simple statement:
When you eat carbohydrates (carbs), your blood sugar rises.
Now before you start to panic wondering how you could live without carbs, let me reassure you that you do NOT NEED CARBS to live. Carbs, which are one of the three macronutrients found in foods, are not essential for the human body. Glucose is, but the body can make the glucose it needs without you ever putting a carb into your body again.
Bottom line: Eating carbs raises your blood sugar. Eating an excessive amount of carbs will lead to weight gain, diabetes, and a slew of other chronic conditions at some point for everyone. If you are currently struggling with any of the conditions listed below, reducing both the number of carbs consumed and the type of carbs consumed is the best way to heal your body.
To reduce chronic disease, you must reduce insulin. If you don't have glucose in your bloodstream, you won't need insulin to remove it. Once you've turned off the faucet, you can clean up the mess, unclog the drain and heal.
Have specific questions you'd like answered? Comment below or shoot me an email message here. You never know, your question may be highlighted in the coming weeks.
If you don't make time for your health,
by Author
you'll be forced to make time for your illness.
