Glucose is your body's preferred energy source, and your body converts sugar into glucose easily. All carbohydrates can be converted into glucose, but simple carbohydrates, such as sucrose, which is table sugar, fructose, lactose, galactose and malatose, are converted to glucose very quickly. The faster your blood sugar rises, the more insulin your body produces to help move glucose into your cells for use or storage.
Sugar and Insulin Production
When your bloodstream is flooded with large amounts of glucose, your pancreas produces insulin to transport glucose from your bloodstream to your cells. Some of the glucose is used right away for energy; the rest is stored as a type of fat, called triglycerides, in your fat cells for use as energy later, while you're sleeping or between meals. If you eat a lot of sugar, you body may produce too much insulin. Extra insulin in your bloodstream tricks your brain into thinking you need more glucose, which can trigger a food craving for more sweet foods that can quickly be converted to glucose. This can be the beginning of a dangerous cycle; the constant overproduction of insulin can eventually lead to your pancreas not being able to keep up with the demand, causing insulin resistance and pre-diabetes.
Symptoms of Hyperglycemia and Ketoacidosis
An occasional high blood sugar level, also known as hyperglycemia, won't cause long-term damage. You may have a few physical symptoms, such as headache, tiredness, increased thirst, frequent need to urinate or blurred vision. If you have diabetes, untreated hyperglycemia may result in ketoacidosis, a diabetic coma that can prove fatal. Ketoacidosis occurs when your body doesn't have the insulin it needs to move glucose into your cells. You will have high blood sugar levels, usually over 240 mg/dL, but your body burns fat for fuel, creating ketones, a byproduct of fat metabolism. These ketones and glucose build-up in your bloodstream, causing ketoacidosis. But this condition is rare for non-diabetics and is most often seen in type 1 diabetics.
Long-Term Health Problems
Chronic high blood sugar can cause serious long-term problems. Too much glucose in your bloodstream can damage blood vessels, especially smaller capillaries that feed your kidneys, nerves and eyes, which is why diabetics with uncontrolled high glucose levels often suffer from kidney disease, nerve damage and blindness. If blood flow is lost, organs and tissues don't get the nutrients and oxygen they need and stop functioning. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, people with diabetes are twice as likely to have heart disease or stroke and to develop these problems at an earlier age.
Other Tips
If you want to eat a sugary treat, temper the effect it will have on your blood sugar level by eating it with food high in protein, fiber or even fat. Fat, fiber and protein slow digestion and the conversion of carbohydrates into glucose. Chances are your body can handle the occasional treat, but remember that "occasional" doesn't mean "daily." If you know you're going to splurge, eat fewer calories at other times during that day and add extra time to your workout that day to compensate for the additional calories. Consult with your doctor to make healthy food choices that include lean protein, unsaturated fats and high-fiber complex carbohydrates.
References
- Medline Plus: Carbohydrates
- American Diabetes Association: Hyperglycemia
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Diabetic Neuropathies: The Nerve Damage of Diabetes
- MayoClinic.com; Prediabetes; Jan. 21, 2001
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases:Diabetes, Heart Disease and Stroke
