A spoonful of Sugar...Literally.

 

Insulin and leptin are obviously crucial to staying alive.  However, in our society, our levels are out of control and are ultimately costing us our lives. 

 

Most adults have carry about one gallon of blood in their bodies and within that gallon, there is only one teaspoon of sugar. The human body only needs one teaspoon of sugar at all times (if that). 

 

Our bodies work extremely hard to prevent blood sugar comas by producing insulin to keep our blood sugar at the correct level. So, meals and snacks high in grain and sugar carbohydrates generate a rapid rise in blood glucose. Our pancreas then secretes insulin into our bloodstream, lowering blood sugar to keep us from dying.

 

However, as most Americans consume a diet consistently high in sugar and grains, over time we become "sensitized" to insulin and require more and more of it to get the job done (which is what happened to me). Eventually, we become insulin and leptin resistant, and then diabetic.

 

Women are supposed to consume no more than 20g of sugar carbs a day, or roughly 6 teaspoons.  As you see in the infographic on the left, we easily consume more than double/triple/quadruple our DAY'S sugar grams in ONE DRINK or ONE MEAL. This is not healthy.

 

Nutritional Ketogenic Diets "restrict" your daily sugar grams to 20g/day, allowing your body to be in a ketogenic state (ketosis), burning ketones for fuel instead of glucose. A proper ketogenic diet calls for high amounts of fat, moderate amounts of protein, and very low amounts of carbohydrates.