ALL ABOUT GLUCOSE & DIABETES

The importance of glucose

A group of researchers Seville discovers the mechanism by which the brain controls your fuel levels. José López-Barneo and Ricardo Pardal working in the Biomedical Research Laboratory, Department of Physiology and Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío University of Seville. On Tuesday, before its print publication, the journal "Nature Neuroscience" put the computer network in his finding glucose-sensitive cells in the structure known as carotid body. " What does this mean and, above all, what matter?

The physiology, the science of body function, very far from a finished science, there are many gaps to cross and a large number of mechanisms to unravel. But at the same time, it is a vast body of knowledge and well established. It is therefore very difficult to describe something new to be able to change the established schemes solid textbooks used by students. These researchers have succeeded in Seville such a feat. Anti-Parkinson. José López-Barneo is neurophysiologist and, for several years, research with his team on the "carotid body or glomus. What's hiding under this name? Almost all the blood to the brain does from two major arteries in the neck, the carotids (right and left). Near the head, each carotid artery divides into two branches. One of these, the external carotid supplies blood to the side of the face that corresponds, the other internal carotid artery, irrigates the corresponding half of the brain. Well, right in the place where the common carotid artery divides into two branches, there is a small neural structure, sensory: the carotid body.

It is long known that cells of this device are sensitive to the amount of oxygen carrying blood. If there is little oxygen, which would mean that the brain could be in trouble, the carotid body nerve sends powerful signals to the respiratory centers to increase ventilation, they breathe faster. Now, Lopez-Barneo and Pardal have shown that these cells also measure the amount of blood glucose, blood glucose. The interest of Seville by the carotid body comes from their desire to combat Parkinson's disease, neurodegenerative disease characterized by involuntary tremors of the extremities. It turns out that the nerve cells that structure associated with carotid produce "dopamine" which is the chemical that is lacking in the brains of Parkinson patients. Lopez-Barneo and his thought that if they were dopamine-producing cells, easy to find (neck) and are also twice (right and left), maybe it was a relief for the Parkinson autotransplantation of one of the carotid bodies from the neck to the appropriate area of the brain of the patient. This line of research continues and Professor Seville has already made some time ago, a few "experimental transplants to patients in the coming months will be subject to review in England to measure results." The researchers were very satisfied with the provisional results.

Metabolism Study of glucose levels.

But, of course, to make things work is essential to try to understand as deeply as possible course of action, metabolism, cell carotid body. The more you know, the more likely it is to act more safely be beneficial and that such transplants work. So the team from the University of Seville also invested a lot of studying the physiology of the carotid body cells. First, the team developed a couple of years ago a novel experimental technique that allows them to keep alive the carotid body cells, taken from the body of a rat-and measure their physiological constants. With this model just to show that these cells not only measure the amount of oxygen reaching the brain, but also the amount of glucose, the basic food of neurons. Lopez-Barneo explains that it is a completely new discovery, with only a "relatively old earlier suggestion by a physiologist Spaniard exiled in Mexico because of the Civil War, Dr. Alvarez-Buylla. What we propose is a control mechanism blood glucose unknown until now.

Glucose levels with diabetes

As glucose is the fuel that keeps the almost exclusive function of the nervous system, evolution has provided the body with a complicated mechanism of hormonal and nervous control of the amount of glucose in blood. The sugar can not get certain levels because the brain is affected, or rise above other values because it is harmful. However, until now was unknown RRM if there is some drop in the amount of glucose, hypoglycaemia. And also remember López-Barneo, "against what is commonly thought, the brain holds better and longer hypoxia (lack of oxygen) that hypoglycaemia.

The scheme proposed by Professor Seville is summarized in the carotid body cells measured in the blood to the brain, the amount of glucose. "If this is less than required, the carotid body sends warning signals to the brain which, in turn, stimulates the sympathetic nervous system and, therefore, the liver releases glucose that is stored. Thus, at least short-term equilibrium is restored. The discovery of these researchers have physiological importance Seville: it explains something that was not known and, therefore, will be worthy to appear in textbooks. But it can also help to understand certain phenomena associated with diabetes.

Glucose solutions for athletes

Glucose preparations are a good option to overcome the physical letdown during sporting activities. Blisters, glucose gels and tablets are products specifically designed for athletes train and compete in tests of long duration and intensity. However, one must know how and when to take those products to avoid the opposite effect, the dreaded slut.

What is glucose?

Glucose is a sugar or simple carbohydrates from which energy is obtained by rapid utilization by the body. It abounds in many fruits among which the grapes, hence it is also known as grape sugar. It is also present in vegetables and, particularly in sweet foods that contain sucrose or table sugar (sugar made up of simple units of glucose and fructose): jam, honey, soft drinks or candy. The body not only gets glucose from sources such as, thanks to digestion, can be obtained from other carbohydrates much more complex structure (starch) present in cereals and cereal products, potatoes and vegetables. Moreover, the body can only use the basic molecules of carbohydrates obtained after digestion, which are mostly molecules of glucose. One part is used directly as an energy source and the production of substances in the cell necessary to perform their functions. The other is stored as fat and glycogen (a polymer of glucose) in liver and muscle.

Muscle glycogen, a storage of energy limited

Glycogen is a pantry limited energy that is produced mainly in periods in which the amount of glucose in the cells exceeds what is needed for energy production. When you make a physical effort, muscle glycogen is degraded to glucose to be used as an energy source. However, the reserves are very limited and can become exhausted. The speed at which these reserves are exhausted is a function of exercise intensity and amount of glycogen stored before training or competition.

To ensure glycogen stores need a good training plan that includes plenty of carbohydrates before, during and after exercise. Thus, in 15 minutes of intense exercise can be used to reach 60-70% of muscle glycogen. The total depletion may occur, if no appropriate measures are taken after 2 hours of intense exercise. Appears at this time of hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) and fatigue. Thus, increasing the capacity of muscle glycogen stores to avoid compromising athletic performance is one of the battles of coaches and athletes. It's as simple as making a good training plan and a diet with sufficient intake of carbohydrates before, during and after sports practice, without forgetting the importance of keeping the body well hydrated.

How and when to take sugar?

Glucose is available in various formats such as drinkable ampoules, tablets or gels. These forms of presentation are also used by those with diabetes, to trace a hypo quickly and effectively. The flavor is citrus, fruits, and some included in the composition of minerals such as sodium, as this is necessary for glucose to be absorbed. Usually, this type of preparations are useful, not essential, high-intensity sports and longer than 70-90 minutes.

Usually indicated that for every hour of training or competition, a food should be taken liquid (or solid with appropriate beverages) with little fat and fiber. This should contribute at least 45 grams of carbohydrates such as glucose uptake rapidly. At first it is preferable to water and isotonic drinks. After 40 minutes of activity should take solid food rich in carbohydrates and easy to assimilate, after the hour of exercise, can help make glucose every 10-15 minutes with isotonic drinks and water.

Glucose in commercial preparations

The amount of glucose to take depend on the intensity and duration of muscular effort. This amount will need to choose between several types of preparations, which contain different proportions of this simple sugar:

Glucose gel:
It is common that each container supply about 15 or 30 grams of glucose.

Glucose tablets:
They contain about 90% glucose, so that each 5-gram tablet provides 4.5 grams of glucose. The tablets can be dissolved in the mouth or chew and swallow as they are dissolving. They can also be diluted in some water, juice or milk.

Glucose: the "BIOLOGICAL BATTERIES 'OF OUR CELLS

Every cell in our body has its own stack that supplies energy for their activities. In the case of the muscle fiber, the ATP battery to power it to contract and relax. When ATP is required? Always, even when we are sleeping. Our body is never on vacation, and cells of our lungs, our heart, our muscles need energy constantly. How many hours of battery life does this stack? Just a few seconds. Therefore, the cell needs a system that recharges the battery while you are downloading. How do you recharge your battery cells from ATP? Using different fuels. There are basically three types: glucose, free fatty acids and amino acids. Where do these fuels? In the daily diet. For example, when we eat bread, beans or potatoes are eating a lot of glucose, eat a steak when we are taking mainly proteins and fat.

Why not always need to be eating? Because after digestion, our body uses only a small portion of these fuels. The rest is accumulated as reserves in different organs and tissues of our body. Because of this we can be quite long without food. Our energy reserves The fuel needed to recharge the battery of ATP are stored in different organs and body tissues. Fat reserves are "unlimited", but the glucose is very limited. Where are the stocks of fuel? Fat is stored mainly in the form of triglycerides in adipose tissue and muscle. Glucose is stored as glycogen in liver and muscle, and protein, especially in the muscle. In addition, small amounts of glucose, fat and amino acids (the building blocks that make up proteins) in different body fluids (blood, etc.).. How much fuel is able to accumulate a thin person? What is the distribution of reserves?

As we can see in Table 6.1, very uneven: while the body of a man slim, 70kg., Collects only about 500g. glucose / glycogen, fat stores account for almost 16 kilos. In total, the amount of stored energy is huge. So much so that only the fat on your body enough energy reserve to run, theoretically, more than 20 marathons in a row.

FUEL

Quantity Stored (kg)

Cumulative calories (kcal)
FAT
1. Adipose Tissue
140,040 15.56
2. Muscle
0.3 2700
GLYCOGEN
1. Muscular
1400 0.35
2. Liver
360 0.09
GLUCOSE (blood, etc)
80 0.02
PROTEIN 10 40000
TOTAL 184,500 26.32 Kcal Kg


Table 6.1. Media body energy reserves in a 70kg male non-obese (Source: Whare and Felig, 1975; Guezennec, 1992). However, it is clear that a human being is incapable of running 20 marathons in a row. Why? Among other important reasons, because the average intensity with which it develops a marathon, or cycling stage, makes it impossible for the muscle fiber can obtain all the energy needed to recharge using only your fat cell ATP. Muscle fibers when performing physical exercise of moderate intensity, strong need to dip into its reserves of glycogen, as we have said, are very limited. The energy stored in our body as glucose / glycogen barely 2,000 calories. Carbohydrates (glucose / glycogen) and fats: THE TWO MAIN FUEL Basically, the muscle begins to use protein as fuel, significantly, when your glycogen stores are depleted. Food & Sports What determines our body uses more fat and more glucose / glycogen as fuel?

Above all, the intensity and duration of exercise. Our body uses more fat the more gentle and prolonged exercise. The more intense, more important is the need for glycogen. The muscle fat stop eating while using the glycogen to replenish your stack of ATP. (See Table 6.3). That is, for an obese person is more interesting to mild and moderate exercise ... Yes. When walking (without choke) a long time, the working muscle consumes more fat (and calories) if you are forced to work more intensity (jogging ...). intensity of exercise

Fat

Glucose / Glycogen
0% V02 max. (Rest)
99% 1%
<30% V02 max. (Standing, working very soft)
99% 1%
30 - 40% V02 max. (Walking)
99% 1%
50 - 60% V02 max. (Jogging)
60% 40%
85 to 95% V02 max. (Carrera intense)
30% 70%
> 100% V02 max. (Maximum stroke)
1% 99%


Table 6.2 Percentage participation in energy metabolism of fat and glucose in relation to exercise intensity.
What other factors depends on the use of either fuel? - Of physical fitness: the better the physical condition more fat reserves used for the same exercise intensity. - From sex: women consume less carbohydrates when they engage in moderate intensity exercise. They produce a greater saving of glycogen and reduced use of proteins. Question of hormones ... - Of diet: a diet low in carbohydrates during exercise causes muscle and liver glycogen are depleted rapidly and use is made of proteins. - The weather conditions: when exercising in a hot environment, increased consumption of muscle glycogen. This greater reliance on carbohydrates is reduced after a period of acclimatization.

The Wall: A diet with less carbohydrate than recommended threatens muscle glycogen and liver and may be the source of a state of fatigue. When these reserves are exhausted or decrease the concentration of glucose in the blood, which appears in the world of sport is known as "slut", which requires the athlete to greatly reduce the intensity of exercise or even to stand. The Football ... For a player much lower mean intensity of play. If it is striker shall have power to bargain with speed or to escape. If defense is escape forwards. In the Cycling and Marathon ... For a cyclist or a marathoner, the Wall means much lower pace. They lose all their options for success. The Bodybuilding ... No can do as many repetitions as he wanted. Today kilos heavier. In the Mountain ... The remaining miles seem much longer.

A Diet Rich in carbohydrates: the antidote to the Wall Target in the daily life of an athlete: maintaining muscle glycogen stores and liver as full as possible. How does one avoid a fall of glucose? First taking a varied and balanced diet, ensuring that there is a predominance of foods rich in carbohydrates, limited to a maximum of 30% of daily calories consumed as fat, and 15% of daily calories protein. Are there enough 15% of calories from protein? Yes, it is mountain, landlord or a weightlifter, an athlete get the protein you need if the total daily calories, 15% are in the form of protein. How should an athlete's diet? It should be a varied and balanced diet accompanied by adequate hydration. With this, the athlete gets the amounts of carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals you need. An example of a basic diet for an athlete can be seen in Table 6.3.
Breakfast


Food

Dinner

Lunch and snack
Natural Juice
Milk
Cereals
Toast
Jam
Butter
Water

Menu 1:
Lentils
Grilled Salmon with peas
Rice pudding
Water and bread

Menu 1:
Peas and ham
Grilled steak
potato
Yogurt and fruit
Water and bread

Lunch:
Small sandwich ham
Fruit

Menu 2:
Potato Salad with
Chicken breast grilled with white rice
Fruit
Water and bread

Menu 2:
Rice Salad
tuna in oil
Liver with tomato and carrot
Water and bread

Snack:
Fruit Yogurt
Maria biscuits with jam.


Table 6.3. Example of a basic diet appropriate for an athlete





However, we must also bear in mind 2 basic things:

1. To pay 100% physically, water is as important as carbohydrates, especially in hot days and / or moisture. A state of dehydration not only makes it worse physical performance, but when continued long enough in extreme weather conditions of heat and moisture can endanger the lives of athletes.

2. In sports such as marathon, triathlon, cycling, climbing, weightlifting, football. It is necessary to take food during the development of training, competition or March.

Insist on these two points later. MAKE A PURCHASE ... Food and Sport The athlete has to get used to know the nutritional content of foods you buy! The cart must be paid to all kinds of food, but must take precedence those containing a high percentage of carbohydrate, whether fast, intermediate or slow uptake. Foods containing carbohydrates rapid assimilation: Bread, rice, cereals, potatoes, raisins, bananas, honey, table sugar, glucose, sports drinks containing glucose or maltodextrin. Foods with carbohydrates assimilation term: Spaghetti, macaroni and pasta all in general, orange and grape. Foods containing carbohydrates from slow assimilation:
Apple, cherry, fig, dried date, grapefruit, peaches, plums, beans, lentils, peas, fructose, milk and dairy products.