High Protein Breakfast

Metabolic Effects of Glucose: 

Our metabolism functions like a fire, burning continuously day and night to provide energy. The primary fuels for this process are fat and sugar, which power the mitochondria in every cell of our body. However, in today's society, sugar consumption has skyrocketed far beyond what our bodies are adapted to based on our evolutionary history. This overconsumption has disrupted the natural balance, creating a dependency on sugar for metabolic function and leading to unstable blood sugar levels. Blood sugar instability has become a widespread epidemic in developed societies, contributing to numerous chronic health issues. To mitigate these effects, it's crucial to stabilize blood sugar levels consistently.

 

Choosing Protein:

One of the most effective ways to do this is by starting your day with a meal rich in protein, vegetables, and healthy fats. Protein is essential for countless bodily functions, especially recovery and healing. Beginning your day with these vital building blocks helps ease the metabolic burden, allowing your body to maintain blood sugar stability without excessive stress. This sets the tone for a more balanced and energized day.

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Relationship between Cortisol, Mood, and Glucose: 

When you consume a meal, particularly one high in sugars or processed carbohydrates, your blood glucose levels rise rapidly. In response, your pancreas secretes insulin, a hormone that helps cells absorb glucose from the bloodstream to use for energy or store as glycogen in the liver and muscles. This process is crucial for maintaining balanced blood sugar levels.

 

However, when you consume a meal high in refined sugars and processed foods, the rapid spike in blood glucose can cause an overproduction of insulin. This can lead to a quick drop in blood sugar levels leaving you feeling tired, irritable, and craving more sugar to boost your energy, perpetuating a cycle of blood sugar instability.

 

Cortisol, often called the "stress hormone," is produced by the adrenal glands and plays a significant role in managing stress, but it also has important metabolic functions. One of its key roles is to increase blood glucose levels when they are low, providing your body with the energy it needs during times of stress or fasting. When your blood sugar drops after a high-sugar meal, your body may respond by releasing cortisol to bring glucose levels back up. While this is a normal response, chronic spikes in cortisol due to poor dietary choices can lead to a stressed state, where your body is constantly working to stabilize blood sugar. This can leave you feeling mood dysregulation Elevated cortisol levels over time can contribute to insulin resistance, weight gain, depression, anxiety, fatigue, hormonal imbalance, cardiovascular disease, joint pain, autoimmune disease, and eventually Type II Diabetes.