Sugar is necessary for the body, but not the white table sugar. How does the body get rid of it? What can be done to reduce it?
Sugar in the body is necessary to some extent, but excess is bad. It should be noted that the natural control of blood sugar is very complex and can become unbalanced when one has diabetes. Therefore, it is important to understand what is supposed to happen in the body, and how blood sugar is regulated. The human body has a complex and fascinating machinery to manage the energy it gets from food, with sugar in the form of glucose being one of its primary fuels. However, an excess of sugar in the blood can be harmful, triggering mechanisms to expel or reduce its levels. The way the body handles this excess involves several interconnected processes, mainly regulated by the pancreas, liver, kidneys, and muscles.
When foods high in sugars are consumed, they break down into glucose, fructose, and other monosaccharides during digestion, which are absorbed in the small intestine and enter the bloodstream. The increase in blood glucose after a meal signals the pancreas to release insulin, a hormone that acts as a key allowing glucose to enter the body's cells, where it is used as energy or stored for future use. This is the main mechanism for "expelling" sugar from the blood: its conversion and storage.
Insulin is the main sugar regulator
Insulin functions as a key that allows blood sugar to enter cells so they can use it as energy. But when the blood sugar level is high, the body cannot transport glucose to the cells, increasing the risk of diabetes. It should be noted that blood sugar levels can fluctuate for many reasons, even within the same day.
Food choices
Lack of physical activity
Dehydration
Certain medication consumption, such as steroids
Insufficient medication dosage or omission
Diseases such as infections, injuries, or surgeries
Stress
Hormonal changes
It should also be noted that this hormone is made by beta cells and released continuously into the bloodstream. Beta cells are located in the pancreas, an organ behind the stomach. Insulin levels in the bloodstream are carefully calibrated to keep blood glucose just right. High insulin levels push sugar out of the bloodstream, into muscle, fat, and liver cells, where it is stored for future use. Low insulin levels allow sugar and other fuels to be released back into the bloodstream.
During the night and between meals, insulin levels in the bloodstream are low and relatively constant, allowing the body to tap into its stored energy sources, mainly glycogen and fat, and also release sugar and other fuels from the liver. This insulin at night or between meals is called background or basal insulin. But when you eat, the amount of insulin released from the pancreas spikes quickly. This burst of insulin that accompanies eating is called bolus insulin. After a meal, blood sugar levels peak at less than 140 mg/dl and then drop back to the baseline, pre-meal level. High insulin levels help sugar leave the bloodstream and be stored for future use.
What does having an excess of sugar in the blood entail?
The concentration of glucose in the blood is the amount of glucose it contains. Glucose is a sugar that comes from food and is also formed and stored within the body. It is the main source of energy for the body's cells, and it is transported to each and every one of those cells through the bloodstream.
Hyperglycemia is the medical term used to refer to high blood sugar concentrations. Hyperglycemia occurs when the body cannot make insulin (type 1 diabetes) or when it does not respond properly to insulin (type 2 diabetes). It must be remembered that the body needs insulin for glucose in the blood to enter the body's cells, which use it as a source of energy. It must be remembered that hyperglycemia can damage the blood vessels that carry blood to vital organs, which can increase the risk of heart disease, strokes, kidney disease, vision problems, and neurological problems. These problems usually do not affect children or teenagers who have had diabetes for only a few years, but they can appear in adulthood in some people with diabetes.
What are the signs of high blood sugar concentration?
Urinating a lot: the kidneys work by expelling excess glucose through urine. People with hyperglycemia need to pee more often and in greater amounts.
Drinking a lot: because a lot of fluid is being lost through pee, one tends to be very thirsty.
Losing weight despite not having lost appetite: if there is not enough insulin to help the body use glucose, it will have to break down stored muscle and fat in an attempt to provide fuel to hungry cells.
Being exhausted: since the body cannot properly use glucose as a source of energy, the person may feel unusually tired.
The liver stores and also produces sugar
The liver acts as the body's glucose reserve, and helps maintain circulating blood sugar levels and other body fuels even and constant. But, in addition, the liver stores and manufactures glucose depending on the body's need. The need to store or release glucose is signaled mainly by the hormones insulin and glucagon. It should be known that, during a meal, the liver will store sugar, or glucose, in the form of glycogen for a later time when the body needs it. High insulin levels and suppressed glucagon levels during a meal promote the storage of glucose as glycogen.
But in addition, when you are not eating, especially during the night or between meals, the body has to make its own sugar, so the liver supplies sugar or glucose by converting glycogen into glucose in a process called glycogenolysis. But not only that, but the liver also makes another fuel, ketones, when there is little sugar supply... When the body's glycogen storage is running low, it begins to conserve sugar supplies for organs that always require sugar. These include: the brain, red blood cells, and parts of the kidney. To supplement the limited sugar supply, the liver manufactures alternative fuels called ketones, derived from fats. This process is called ketogenesis and the hormonal signal for ketogenesis to begin is a low level of insulin. Muscles and other body organs burn ketones as fuel and sugar is saved for the organs that need it.
But not only the liver, but the kidneys also contribute to the regulation of blood sugar levels. When these levels are excessively high, the kidneys can filter some of the glucose from the bloodstream and excrete it in the urine, although this mechanism is only activated when blood glucose levels are particularly high, such as in conditions of uncontrolled diabetes.
What can be done to help manage blood sugar levels?
The decisions made about lifestyle can often help manage blood sugar levels. Therefore, actions such as having a healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables, maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising regularly can help. Other tips for managing blood sugar levels include:
Keeping track of low blood sugar levels.
Eating at regular times and not skipping meals.
Choosing foods low in calories, saturated fats, trans fats, sugar, and salt.
Managing weight and controlling blood sugar levels.
Counting the amount of carbohydrates you consume each day.
Increasing fiber intake.
Drinking water instead of juices or sodas.
Limiting alcohol consumption; drinking too much alcohol can cause low blood sugar levels.
To indulge in something sweet, choose fruit instead of sweets.
Controlling portions, for example, serving a quarter of the plate with meat or other proteins, a quarter with starchy foods, and half with non-starchy vegetables.
Engage in regular physical activity.
Managing stress levels (positive and negative).
In conclusion, managing blood sugar levels is essential for maintaining overall health and preventing long-term complications associated with diabetes. Understanding how the body processes and regulates glucose provides a foundation for making informed decisions about diet, exercise, and lifestyle. By recognizing the signs of hyperglycemia, employing strategies to regulate blood sugar levels, and utilizing the body's natural mechanisms for glucose management through organs like the liver and kidneys, individuals can effectively maintain their health and mitigate the risks associated with high blood sugar. Additionally, lifestyle choices such as maintaining a balanced diet, staying active, and monitoring glucose levels play a crucial role in supporting the body's efforts to manage blood sugar efficiently.