N_C

as a result of a release of insulin even if a person is not diabetic?

First of all I'm not diabetic, was tested for it and results were negative. But I do know what the symptoms are and what happens if a person does not control diabetese with either diet or meds. & I know what insulin resistance is.

I also know that when ever we eat the body releases insulin. And there are times when it can release to much or to little. One of the symptoms is tiredness.

This is what is happening to me. And I wonder if it is possible that I'm consuming to many carbs. I drink a lot if sports drinks which are loaded with very high furtcose based syrups which means they have a very high concentrations of carbs. I wonder if I should switch to something like orange or apple juice that does not have high concentrations of high frutcose based syrups.

Any suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks, John.

L J Horton

My understanding is that sports drinks should only be used during or after hard physical activity.

Buddha Knuckle

Sure John,

If a normal (read - non diabetic) person slams 12 oz of a simple carbohydrate, their blood glucose levels will rise sharply. The body counters with a commensurate insulin release. The insulin is supposed to drive the excess glucose into muscles for metabolism, and/or convert it into fat for storage. However, since the pancreas was developed long before carb drinks were, sometimes the insulin response can be above and beyond what is needed. As a result, blood glucose levels fall below normal, and you feel tired, sweaty, dizzy in some cases. What I am describing is basic hypoglycemia, and 'bonking' another variey of hypoglycemia. Complex carbs linger in the stomach and blood stream a little longer, and therefore blunt the reflex hypoglycemia you get from a simple sugar bolus. I would avoid the sports drinks. Fruit juice is no better. Protein shakes (not pure protein, but a mix of carbs and protein), complex carb drinks, honey sweetened drinks are all decent alternatives. I would go on, but others have described this phenomenon more clearly than I ever could.

Besides my girlfriend needs the computer.

Peace/Out
BK

gonesh9

The way I look at it is too much of anything will make you bonk.

jacob

yes...check out gluten intolerance syndrome/allergy/condition

there is a book I recommend called Dangerous Grains.

Jacob

G-Hoch

I used to have the same problem. I was tired all of the time no matter what I ate. But that is exactly what the Zone Diet is for. Don't let the "D" word put you off. It is not about losing weight, it is about controlling insulin levels. Although the author, Dr. Sears says that increased insulin levels is what causes weight gain. Check out www.drsears.com and go to your used book store and get a copy of one of his books.

Gary

N_C

One thing I shold have pointed out is this "wave of tiredness" hits me between the hours of 1:00 pm & 2:30 pm. I have to fight to stay awake while working at my desk for about a half an hour. But I can still feel the lingering affects for a good 3 to 4 hours after the initial "wave" is gone.

Also I usually only consume 1 bottle of sports drink, typically Powerade, through out the morning. For me that is a lot.

Is it still possible that I'm still consuming to many carbs, and the "wave" of tiredness is the result, even though it does not happen until the after noon?

I'm going to look into the Zone Diet book. I have heard good things about it.

Thanks.

John.

DanFromDetroit

I find it hard to believe that 1-4 servings of Powerade has this effect on a normal healthy person. A liter of Powerade shouldn't effect you for 3-4 hours at a time.

Possibly:

1. Someone has spiked your Powerade with a tranquilizer.
2. Your imagination is working overtime.
3. Something else is at work here.

Try increasing the amount of sleep you get by 2 hours per night for a week and see if Sports Drinks still make you sleepy.

Dan

MisterJ

NC,

I think that you may be right on the button. Loading on high glycemic carbs in the morning may very well give you a serious energy crisis in the afternoon. Have a few peanuts, seriously. The fat and protien combo slows the metabolism of the carbs and may help.

supcom

This is a test, right?

One bottle of Power ade, having half the number of calories as a soft drink, is hardly going to account for afternoon tredness. Perhaps you are eating too much for lunch? Or not getting enough sleep at night? Or not getting enough exercise in theevenings?

Or maybe your job just isn't as challenging as it used to be?

Try weaning yourself from your Power Ade habit (I recommend water) and see if you recover.

MisterJ

Sorry folks, a genuine gauranteed bonk is a small amount of high glycemic carbohydrate with no follow on food. Your blood sugar goes up. Your body overcompensates with insulin and wham near or real hypoglycemia.

supcom

We don't know what food was consumed either prior to, or following the consumption of the bottle of Power Ade. We don't even know the size of the bottle of Power Ade. John has not divuged that information.

Nonetheless, I really don't think that 150 calories consumed over several hours is going to have any perceived effect.

John is certainly making a mistake if he is neither eating breakfast or lunch. Relying on 150 calories of intake through 5:00 PM would almost certainly create some kind of problems, even if only psychological. However, if either of these meals is consumed, then the calories consumed will almost certainly be minimal compared to the meal(s).