Post Time: 2025-07-18
When we eat, our body breaks down carbohydrates into glucose, which is then absorbed into the bloodstream. This triggers a response from our pancreas to release insulin, facilitating the uptake of glucose by cells for energy production and storage as glycogen. However, when meals are spaced out over time, blood sugar levels naturally fluctuate.
During periods between meals (interdigestive period), several physiological processes occur that impact overall health and well-being. One significant effect is an increase in Glucagon Secretion, a hormone produced by the pancreas to raise blood glucose levels when they drop below normal ranges. This helps prepare the body for food intake, maintaining energy homeostasis.
The interdigestive period also leads to changes in other bodily systems:
Changes in Gut Hormones and Inflammation
As meal frequency decreases between meals, Hormone-Associated Peptides (HAPs) are released into circulation. HAPs stimulate the release of ghrelin, a hormone associated with hunger sensations, which can cause blood glucose levels to drop further.
Additionally, there is an increase in systemic inflammation due to the Release of Free Fatty Acids from body stores during periods without nutrient intake. While not as intense as post-meal spikes, sustained inflammatory processes can impact overall health if meal frequency remains irregular for extended periods.
Maintaining regular mealtimes and healthy eating habits reduces these fluctuations and supports optimal bodily functions:
Blood Sugar Balance: Key to Overall Health
Healthy blood sugar levels enable normal functioning of Neurons, which require a steady supply of glucose. When meals are evenly spaced, reducing unnecessary spikes or dips in blood sugar allows for better neuronal efficiency.
Stabilized energy production also impacts other areas:
Body Temperature Regulation and Sustained Energy Production Balanced nutrient uptake ensures that the body maintains optimal temperature ranges through sustained heat production. Regular mealtimes enable normal core temperatures to be achieved more efficiently, supporting overall physiological functions.
Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels between meals reduces unnecessary strain on various bodily systems, improving energy availability for daily activities and long-term well-being:
Nutrient Uptake Efficiency
By maintaining a stable meal pattern that allows the body adequate time to digest food without frequent highs or lows in glucose consumption, one can Optimize Pancreatic Function, supporting optimal insulin and glucagon balance.
Efficient digestion contributes directly to better nutrient absorption rates. Healthy individuals absorb most nutrients more efficiently with even spacing between meals, ensuring all bodily functions are supported throughout the day.
Maintaining blood sugar stability enables your body:
Stabilizing Cellular Energy Production
A stable energy source empowers cells to operate at their best. Optimal cellular functioning requires reliable glucose supplies and insulin regulation through consistent eating habits that balance nutrient uptakes for sustained overall health benefits.
Regularity in food consumption contributes positively toward well-being by supporting physiological functions such as:
Adrenal Gland Functioning The body maintains a healthy cortisol-to-glucagon ratio to maintain energy homeostasis, keeping blood sugar stable when there are periods of fasting or between meal times. Optimal adrenal functioning is supported through regular eating patterns that stabilize the balance.
Proper management allows for improved overall health by:
Blood Flow and Oxygenation When you eat regularly throughout the day with proper nutrients in check, you can regulate your body temperature effectively allowing optimal bodily functions to be carried out consistently like blood flow reaching all areas efficiently.
Can you treat diabetes with herbs? It’s a controversial question, but one that my next guest Dr Merlin Willcox, may have the answer to. Today, we’re diving into the world of therapeutic herbs and spices. Travelling across generations and cultures from around the world to discuss traditional medicine practices, whether they hold up to scientific scrutiny and if these herbs and spices have a place in our drug cabinets as well as our kitchens. Dr Willcox has worked as a GP in the NHS since 2003 and currently works in a practice in Oxford. His research interests blood sugar level of 5 at the University of Southampton include global health, clinical trials of herbal medicines, and improving care for vulnerable people. Dr Willcox has researched different aspects of primary health care in low-income countries, with a particular focus on child health, malaria and traditional medicines.He has been involved in several clinical trials of herbal medicines in Uganda, Madagascar, Mali and the UK and coordinates the RITAM network (Research Initiative on Traditional Antimalarial Methods). We’re talking about a bunch of compounds today including moringa, ginseng, cinnamon, nigella, fenugreek, psyllium and will be discussing their potential mechanism of action plus the evidence for them. But please, if you are thinking of supplementing or trying these items, particularly if you have a condition or take pharmaceuticals, please do discuss this with your physician. ________________________________________________________________________ CHAPTERS: Timecodes: 00:00 - Can herbs & spices treat diabetes? 08:40 - Confronting 5.7 mmol blood sugar herbal medicine sceptics 19:40 - Diabetes around the world 24:05 - How to prepare your herbs 32:10 - Using herbs & spices to reduce spikes 38:58 - How to incorporate them into your diet 48:37 - The placebo affect 50:09 - Merlin's herbal journey 59:26 - What's the best all round ingredient? ________________________________________________________________________ EAT WELL EVERYDAY 📱 Download the Doctor's Kitchen app for free here: 🥗 Download a FREE 7 day meal plan: LEARN FROM THE BEST 🎤 Listen to experts on the podcast: 👨🏽💻 103 blood sugar level Browse articles on the website: www.thedoctorskitchen.com MY COOKBOOKS 📚 LET'S BE FRIENDS 📷 Instagram: 📹 Subscribe: 🙋🏽♂️ Facebook: 🐦 Twitter: 👔