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What does sugar do in your body? Layman's terms please!

2

Replies

  • LabRat529
    LabRat529 Posts: 1,323 Member
    I like sugar. :smile:

    What if Ray Peat is right?

    http://raypeat.com/articles/articles/glycemia.shtml

    I like. I love the quote by C. H. Spurgeon: "A lie travels round the world while Truth is putting on her boots."

    The article is interesting too. I don't know if "unsaturated fatty acids, adrenaline, and cortisol cause insulin resistance". I will have to play on pubmed.
  • Silverkittycat
    Silverkittycat Posts: 1,997 Member
    something is seriously wrong with me..can't master quoting. Sugar. :tongue:
  • Silverkittycat
    Silverkittycat Posts: 1,997 Member
    oops?
  • Silverkittycat
    Silverkittycat Posts: 1,997 Member
    I like sugar. :smile:

    What if Ray Peat is right?

    http://raypeat.com/articles/articles/glycemia.shtml
    I like. I love the quote by C. H. Spurgeon: "A lie travels round the world while Truth is putting on her boots."

    The article is interesting too. I don't know if "unsaturated fatty acids, adrenaline, and cortisol cause insulin resistance". I will have to play on pubmed.

    :love:

    I think "playing" is all we're doing right now. It's a good thing.
  • grinch031
    grinch031 Posts: 1,679
    Yes, I've heard that too. Thanks. Too much does make your blood sugar rise and then drop really low, which can affect you emotionally and physically though, I think....that much I know!

    This is an issue if you're diabetic or hyper or hypoglycemic. Most people metabolize sugar just fine.

    And how do you know that most people metabolize sugar just fine?

    Because the research has overwhelmingly shown that it's the excess calories that cause weight gain

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22351714

    The idea that excess calories *causes* obesity is about the dumbest thing I've ever heard. It completely does not explain why *some* people can eat whatever the hell they want and never gain weight, and others cannot and are starving all the time when they restrict calories. If eating excess calories was the cause of obesity, then everybody who lives in the USA would be obese who didn't go out of their way to prevent it through manual calorie restriction. That is simply not the case. There are too many people who are immune to overeating, at least during the earlier part of their lives. Too many people in other cultures who have no problems maintaining healthy weight.

    The body regulates intake of food. In a healthy individual who overeats, their body will suppress their appetite to compensate. In a fat person, it will not. Either there is something wrong with the body, or there is something wrong with the food, or a combination of both. Science hasn't gotten this far yet, but rest assured it will.
  • grinch031
    grinch031 Posts: 1,679
    Yes, I've heard that too. Thanks. Too much does make your blood sugar rise and then drop really low, which can affect you emotionally and physically though, I think....that much I know!

    This is an issue if you're diabetic or hyper or hypoglycemic. Most people metabolize sugar just fine.

    And how do you know that most people metabolize sugar just fine?
    Because most people's bodies function as they were intended. The inability to properly metabolize sugar is an anomaly. Not the norm.

    Oh really? You think having a population where 65% are overweight and 35% are obese means people's bodies function as they were intended?
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    Yes, I've heard that too. Thanks. Too much does make your blood sugar rise and then drop really low, which can affect you emotionally and physically though, I think....that much I know!

    This is an issue if you're diabetic or hyper or hypoglycemic. Most people metabolize sugar just fine.

    And how do you know that most people metabolize sugar just fine?

    Because the research has overwhelmingly shown that it's the excess calories that cause weight gain

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22351714

    The idea that excess calories *causes* obesity is about the dumbest thing I've ever heard. It completely does not explain why *some* people can eat whatever the hell they want and never gain weight, and others cannot and are starving all the time when they restrict calories. If eating excess calories was the cause of obesity, then everybody who lives in the USA would be obese who didn't go out of their way to prevent it through manual calorie restriction. That is simply not the case. There are too many people who are immune to overeating, at least during the earlier part of their lives. Too many people in other cultures who have no problems maintaining healthy weight.

    The body regulates intake of food. In a healthy individual who overeats, their body will suppress their appetite to compensate. In a fat person, it will not. Either there is something wrong with the body, or there is something wrong with the food, or a combination of both. Science hasn't gotten this far yet, but rest assured it will.

    nxkih3.jpg.gif
  • dinosnopro
    dinosnopro Posts: 2,177 Member
    Yes, I've heard that too. Thanks. Too much does make your blood sugar rise and then drop really low, which can affect you emotionally and physically though, I think....that much I know!

    This is an issue if you're diabetic or hyper or hypoglycemic. Most people metabolize sugar just fine.

    And how do you know that most people metabolize sugar just fine?
    Because most people's bodies function as they were intended. The inability to properly metabolize sugar is an anomaly. Not the norm.

    Oh really? You think having a population where 65% are overweight and 35% are obese means people's bodies function as they were intended?






    images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRDEiEsdjqZEDYghIC5j1rH6kdTEm9rqo5E29KdXVkXNe_VF9v9
  • TanyaCurtis
    TanyaCurtis Posts: 630
    Bump
  • BondBomb
    BondBomb Posts: 1,781 Member
    Yes, I've heard that too. Thanks. Too much does make your blood sugar rise and then drop really low, which can affect you emotionally and physically though, I think....that much I know!

    This is an issue if you're diabetic or hyper or hypoglycemic. Most people metabolize sugar just fine.

    And how do you know that most people metabolize sugar just fine?
    Because most people's bodies function as they were intended. The inability to properly metabolize sugar is an anomaly. Not the norm.

    Oh really? You think having a population where 65% are overweight and 35% are obese means people's bodies function as they were intended?






    images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRDEiEsdjqZEDYghIC5j1rH6kdTEm9rqo5E29KdXVkXNe_VF9v9
    No Kidding. I usually bow out when the conspiracy theorists start in.
    To answer the question. Yes most of those bodies are working as intended. True that some people have faster metabolisms. I was always one of those people. I ate whatever I want. I was active - had a high lean body mass. I was active and despite being able to eat what I want I still never ate outside of reason. Then I had a baby, got lazy and have to work harder. However once again, as I lift weights and decerase my %body fat I am increasing calories and losing weight. People are obese for different reasons. Some it's a medical condition. For MOST (see previous definition provided) its not following the basic principals of weight loss and gain. Im sorry if my answer seems brutal but until i got serious I make every excuse in the book. Metabolism, thyroid, processed food. Have you looked at the sheer number of success stories here?
    Evolution doesn't happen overnight. Our bodies are designed to function as though we are hunting and gathering. Not driving up to a window to consume 3000 calories in one shot. Those with extremely fast metabolisms probably would not have survived a harsh winter with limited food.
    So your choices are, build muscle and eat better. Or build a time machine.
  • billsica
    billsica Posts: 4,741 Member
    C6H12O6 + 6O2 --> 6CO2 + 6H2O
  • BondBomb
    BondBomb Posts: 1,781 Member
    C6H12O6 + 6O2 --> 6CO2 + 6H2O
    Best answer so far. Well second after mine of course :)
  • azwildcatfan94
    azwildcatfan94 Posts: 314 Member
    Totally non-scientific, but just personal observation... For me, eating sugar does two bad things. 1. It increases my appetite and I eat more calories. I've noticed that this lasts for at least a day. 2. Makes me crave more sugar.

    Between items 1 and 2, I get into a bad cycle. It is like an addiction for me. So, when I started losing weight this time, the first thing I did was cut out sugar. I didn't change anything else about my diet until I got "off" sugar. In doing so, the calorie reductions were easier to do and I've had a much easier time losing weight.

    Yeah, I cheat occasionally and have something with sugar in it. But, I weigh the consequences first and if I decide to eat something with sugar today, know I'm going to want more tomorrow and will need to abstain then. So, sometimes, I decide not to indulge because I don't want to go through that.
  • snookumss
    snookumss Posts: 1,451 Member
    Yes, I've heard that too. Thanks. Too much does make your blood sugar rise and then drop really low, which can affect you emotionally and physically though, I think....that much I know!

    This is an issue if you're diabetic or hyper or hypoglycemic. Most people metabolize sugar just fine.

    And how do you know that most people metabolize sugar just fine?
    Because most people's bodies function as they were intended. The inability to properly metabolize sugar is an anomaly. Not the norm.

    Oh really? You think having a population where 65% are overweight and 35% are obese means people's bodies function as they were intended?





    Wait a minute... ummm... check your math buddy. 65% plus 35% = 100%. 100% of us aren't fat or overweight by any means. I love it when people pull random numbers out of their azz.
  • autumnk921
    autumnk921 Posts: 1,374 Member
    bump
  • MattGetsMad
    MattGetsMad Posts: 429 Member
    Either there is something wrong with the body, or there is something wrong with the food, or a combination of both. Science hasn't gotten this far yet, but rest assured it will.

    Wow. This is the best example of "it's someone else's fault" logic I have ever seen. What if there is something wrong with the person's head and not their body? Like being so delusional about weight and weight-loss that you actually believe it is more difficult than calories in versus calories out.
  • UponThisRock
    UponThisRock Posts: 4,519 Member
    There are too many people who are immune to overeating, at least during the earlier part of their lives.

    Please give examples of people that consume more calories than they burn, and don't gain weight. Thanks.
  • dinosnopro
    dinosnopro Posts: 2,177 Member
    Yes, I've heard that too. Thanks. Too much does make your blood sugar rise and then drop really low, which can affect you emotionally and physically though, I think....that much I know!

    This is an issue if you're diabetic or hyper or hypoglycemic. Most people metabolize sugar just fine.

    And how do you know that most people metabolize sugar just fine?
    Because most people's bodies function as they were intended. The inability to properly metabolize sugar is an anomaly. Not the norm.

    Oh really? You think having a population where 65% are overweight and 35% are obese means people's bodies function as they were intended?





    Wait a minute... ummm... check your math buddy. 65% plus 35% = 100%. 100% of us aren't fat or overweight by any means. I love it when people pull random numbers out of their azz.


    75% of all stats are made up on the spot:wink:
  • azwildcatfan94
    azwildcatfan94 Posts: 314 Member

    75% of all stats are made up on the spot:wink:

    STATISTICS don't lie. PEOPLE lie with STATISTICS! ~First thing my Statistics teacher said in class.
  • SueInAz
    SueInAz Posts: 6,592 Member
    I'm a believer in "a calorie is a calorie" when it comes to weight loss, in that your body doesn't store one kind more than another (or maybe that the jury still seems to be "out" on this one).

    HOWEVER, I have all but eliminated sugar (and simple carbs and artificial sweetener) from my diet because losing weight is not just about reducing calories, but the ability to stick with one's calorie plan. And I have found that sugar makes me crave more sugar, and makes me hungrier sooner than protein, complex carbs and even fats. So having sugar in my diet makes it harder to stick to my diet. Thereby slowing my weight loss.

    I always had a "sweet tooth." When I started this round of weight loss, I went on a VERY low carb diet (24g of carbs/day, basically just meat and green vegetables) for about a week, and the first 3 days were tough, but since then, the cravings have gone and I really don't miss sugar now. It has really surprised me, but sweets just don't appeal to me much at all anymore. Unless I eat some and then I want more and it takes another day of very low carbs to get back on track. So I now stick to about 50-70 grams of carbs total per day.

    Now this is just me, and I have depression/seratonin issues, so YMMV. But, I'm down 35 pound since December, so it seems to be working for me!

    [ETA current carb info.]
    Your issues are exactly mine. I've also chosen the low carb approach, especially in regards to sugar. Now that I'm in maintenance I cycle low carb days with "anything goes" days, usually the weekend and especially if I'm running a race. I actually find that I look forward to the lower carbs days. I have enough sugar-free, lower carb foods that I enjoy that eating that way is a pleasure.
  • Tzippy7
    Tzippy7 Posts: 344 Member
    so, apart from all the arguing thats going on, I can tell you what it does to me. I have really limited my sugar intake that past few months. Now when I eat it i really feel the difference. I get a splitting headache about a minute after my first bite. Then I get dizzy and a little sick feeling. Then I get super tired and depressed. Usually cry and then take a quick nap. I realize im an extreme case, and I am probably one of the people who really does have a problem with sugar. But its a spectrum and even if you dont feel it like that, think about a substance that can cause those feelings to someones body. i might be in the minority but Im not the only one. if you want to know what sugar does to you, stop eating it and then see how it feels to eat a doughnut after your body is used to healthier foods.

    P.S. Im not talking about the sugar in fruit etc, although if I eat a whole mango or something this happens on a much much much smaller scale.
  • magerum
    magerum Posts: 12,589 Member

    Way to revive a thread over a year old. Good job for your first post. A Mercola post at that.

    images?q=tbn:ANd9GcShK7JtQ6gZ72CiqBYoYXIjpy3M88buF1ToKgSsHYkiPmqkCS1QUoKCiiyV
  • Shr3dded
    Shr3dded Posts: 232
    Anything over 40g of sugar a day is stored as bodyfat.
  • magerum
    magerum Posts: 12,589 Member
    Anything over 40g of sugar a day is stored as bodyfat.

    lolwut?
  • whierd
    whierd Posts: 14,025 Member
    Sugar does good things to your body if you let him. He goes deep inside, making your body secrete insulin, and gently takes you to the stars and back. You get a happy feeling until sugar is finished, causing you to get sleepy.
  • neanderthin
    neanderthin Posts: 10,424 Member
    Anything over 40g of sugar a day is stored as bodyfat.

    lolwut?
    Didn't you get the handout.......it says so right there in black and white.:happy:
  • bound4beauty
    bound4beauty Posts: 274 Member
    You don't mention where all this sugar is coming form. Is it occurring naturally in the fruit you're eating? Or are you eating pasties, pies, cakes, etc...that are also laden with fat? Adding some honey to your oatmeal is not the same as eating a candy bar. The most important thing is that the bulk of your calories come from REAL food and that you are spending your calorie allotment on food that nourishes your body. Protein, fruits, veggies, complex carbs and good fats. There's not a lot of room left for excess sugar if you're eating healthy food.
  • mahanaibu
    mahanaibu Posts: 505 Member
    I just attended an MIT conference on food, and we were presented with the evidence on sugar. It DOES do things to blood glucose that affect weight loss.. By spiking blood sugar levels and then suddenly dropping them, it creates a feeling of hunger. Foods that keep blood sugar stable are more satisfying over a long time, so you eat less. y the way, the same is try of refined carbs. anything that thye body can quickly convert to glucose.

    It is a myth that fruit sugars are somehow metabolized differently from table sugar. What is different is that when the hsugar is within the matrix of the fruit, which its complex structure and fiber, the body gets at the sugar more slowly and evenly. That's why fruit is a good choice. But if you drink fruit juice, with the fiber gone, that benefit is lost. Fruit juice, you might as well be drinking sugar water.

    same for whole grains. Within the structure of a whole grain (we're not talking bread here, but the grain itself). the body gets at the sugars more slowly and blood sugar stays more stable. There is a huge difference between instant oatmeal and steal-cut oats, even though they're both whole grains! The processing in instant oatmeal makes the metabolism to sugars much faster...in factm, the curve of spike and drop looked almost identical to just sugar. Steel-cut oats had a slow, even burn.
  • magerum
    magerum Posts: 12,589 Member
    . There's plenty of room left for excess sugar if you're eating healthy food.

    Fixed it for ya
This discussion has been closed.