What Happens When Blood Sugar Levels Decline Between Meals?

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 82 blood sugar level 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 blood sugar 96 mg/dl throughout the day.

Maintaining blood sugar stability enables your body:

Stabilizing Cellular Energy Production

A morning blood sugar 113 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 severe low blood sugar symptoms homeostasis, keeping blood sugar fluctuations in blood sugar levels 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.

How is fatigue linked to high blood sugar? ► ► FREE BOOK + COOKBOOK + DOCUMENTARY: ► ► JOIN DIABETES SMARTS: ​ --------------------------------------------------------------------- We want to keep making informative research-based videos for you. So if you got value from this video and would like more of it, you can send us a 'Super Thanks' by clicking the Thanks button at the bottom of the video. We would greatly appreciate it. Thank you! :) --------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you constantly tired? It may be due to your blood sugar. 1) High blood sugar, otherwise known as HYPERGLYCEMIA, occurs when there is too much glucose floating through the blood stream. Hyperglycemia can also impact your immune system, and may increase the risk of bacterial or viral infections, which can increase feelings of fatigue. HYPOGLYCEMIA is when there is not enough glucose available for your muscle cells. And not having enough glucose in your blood stream means that your muscle cells are not receiving enough energy. So, naturally, hypoglycemia can also cause feelings of fatigue. 2) High blood sugar levels can damage the walls of your blood vessels, which can lead to decreased circulation, and can have the effect of reducing your digestive system’s absorption of oxygen and vital nutrients. That may then lead to a buildup of waste products in your cells, which can cause fatigue and a general feeling of malaise. 3) Diabetes-related poor circulation can also interfere with proper sleep habits. Restricted blood flow can reduce your body’s ability to properly regulate your internal temperature, which can lead to night sweats and an increased inability to fall asleep. 4) Research has shown that individuals with diabetes are twice as likely to develop depression as those without diabetes, and individuals with depression have a heightened risk of developing diabetes. Studies have proven that managing diabetes can create a psychological impact, with increased levels of stress, frustration, and anxiety, which can lead to lack of exercise, poor sleep habits, and overall fatigue. 5) Diabetes affects your body’s ability to regulate fluids, and high levels of glucose in your blood stream will force your system to remove excess glucose via more frequent urination. Naturally, this can then lead to dehydration. And being dehydrated can create various symptoms related to increased fatigue, including dizziness, confusion, and tiredness. 6) Diabetics who experience frequent and prolonged inflammation may endure a wide range of issues, including pain, swelling, redness, and fatigue. As diabetes increases inflammation in the body, that can lead to an increase of CYTOKINES – molecules which have been linked to chronic fatigue. Plus, studies also show that chronic inflammation can lead to a condition known as CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME, or CFS. 7) Chronic high blood sugar can damage the lining of your small intestine. This can lead to MALABSORPTION – where your digestive system has increased difficulty absorbing proper amounts of nutrients from the foods you eat. Plus, as previously mentioned, high blood sugar can increase urine production, which not only increases the risk of dehydration, it also results in a loss of energy-related nutrients.