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Introduction
Often claims are made recommending that people should aim to keep peaks in blood glucose low in terms of both magnitude and frequency.
And while many claims about blood glucose “spikes” are incorrect or purposefully exaggerated to grab attention, there are some reasonable and interesting hypotheses put forward in relation to blood glucose variability and excursions.
For example, interesting questions have been raised in relation to the impact of blood glucose excursions in seemingly normoglycemic and/or healthy people.
In this episode, we look at three specific elements of this: average blood glucose, glucose variability, and glucose peaks. All in the context of people without prediabetes or type diabetes, who have typical blood glucose measures in the ‘normal’ range.
Specifically, we look at three hypothesized recommendations made elsewhere:
- “The lower you average blood glucose (HbA1C) is better, even if already in normal range”
- “The more you can minimize glucose variability, the better.”
- “Minimizing the number of glucose “peaks” is important, even if they don’t meet the threshold for hyperglycemia”
Can normoglycemic people benefit from further reducing these measures? Let’s take a look…
Related resources
- Join the Sigma newsletter for free
- Subscribe to Sigma Nutrition Premium
- Become a member of Alan Flanagan’s Alinea Nutrition Education Hub
- Further reading:
- Definitions & Cut-Offs
- Is Lower Average Blood Glucose Better?
- Glucose Variability
- Glucose Peaks
- Some Pragmatic Considerations
The Hosts
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Dr. Alan Flanagan has a PhD in nutrition from the University of Surrey, where his doctoral research focused on circadian rhythms, feeding, and chrononutrition.
This work was based on human intervention trials. He also has a Masters in Nutritional Medicine from the same institution.
Dr. Flanagan is a regular co-host of Sigma Nutrition Radio. He also produces written content for Sigma Nutrition, as part of his role as Research Communication Officer.
Danny Lennon has a master’s degree (MSc.) in Nutritional Sciences from University College Cork, and he is the founder of Sigma Nutrition.
Danny is currently a member of the Advisory Board of the Sports Nutrition Association, the global regulatory body responsible for the standardisation of best practice in the sports nutrition profession.
Introduction to this Episode
O en claims are made recommending that people should aim to keep peaks in blood glucose low in terms of both magnitude and frequency.
And while many claims about blood glucose “spikes” are incorrect or purposefully exaggerated to grab attention, there are some reasonable and interesting hypotheses put forward in relation to blood glucose variability and excursions.
For example, interesting questions have been raised in relation to the impact of blood glucose excursions in seemingly normoglycemic and/or healthy people.
In this episode, we look at three specific elements of this: average blood glucose, glucose variability, and glucose peaks. All in the context of people without prediabetes or type diabetes, who have typical blood glucose measures in the ʻnormalʼ range.
Specifically, we look at three hypothesized recommendations made elsewhere:
- “The lower you average blood glucose (HbA1C) is better, even if already in normal range”
- “The more you can minimize glucose variability, the better.”
- “Minimizing the number of glucose “peaks” is important, even if they donʼt meet the threshold for hyperglycemia”
Can normoglycemic people benefit from further reducing these measures? Letʼs take a look…
Connection to Previous Episodes
#294: Nicola Guess, PhD, RD – Prediabetes & Type 2 Diabetes Nutrition
- In this episode, I discussed a range of issues related to diet and diabetes with Dr. Nicola Guess.
- Of most relevance to the current episode, we touched on crucial topics such as: ○ Relationship between insulin resistance and decline in beta-cell function ○ Two types of prediabetes:
- a) elevated fasting BG but normal OGTT
- b) normal fasting BG but elevated 2 hour OGTT
- Postprandial glucose excursions
- You can find the episode page here.
#252: Alpana Shukla, MD – Effect of Food Order on the Glycaemic Response
- In this episode, I talked to Dr. Alpana Shukla about some intervention trials she published on the impact on glucose responses of food order.
- This included a look at the potential for a “carbohydrate-last meal pattern” to result in more favorable blood glucose responses.
- We also discussed the practical implications in light of typical mixed meals where the components are not as easily separated.
- And we also talked about the impact of fiber before ingestion of a main meal.
- You can find the episode page here.
