Why Blood Sugar Rises During Fasting: Unlocking the Mystery

We live in a world where our dietary choices have often leaned towards indulgence rather than nutrition. Dr. Mindy Pelz, in a recent YouTube video, sheds light on a perplexing phenomenon: why blood sugar rises during fasting.

The Highs and Lows of the Western Diet

In a society driven by high-fat, high-sugar, and high-carbohydrate Western diets, our glucose levels have been on a continuous upward trajectory. Over the years, this surge in blood sugar levels has prompted our miraculous bodies to devise a storage strategy. Dr. Mindy explains that our bodies store this excess sugar in six distinct locations, each with its unique significance.

1. The Blood: A Telltale Sign

One of the initial indicators of rising blood sugar is the observable spike on a glucose monitor. Whether you’re tracking your levels with a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) or a device like Keto Mojo, you might notice that your fasting blood sugar is higher than desired. A healthy fasting blood sugar typically falls between 70 and 90, but sometimes it can reach unsettling numbers like 150 or 160.

2. Liver: The First Storage Depot

When blood sugar remains consistently high for an extended period, your body stores it in the liver. The liver’s role is critical in glucose regulation, and it dutifully manages the influx of excess sugar.

3. Muscles: The Secondary Reserve

Following the liver, the next destination for stored sugar is your muscles. They act as a secondary storage depot, accommodating surplus glucose as your body copes with the sugar influx.

4. Fat: Not as Innocent as It Seems

Fat cells also become repositories for excess sugar when blood sugar levels continue to soar. This storage mechanism ensures that the body can maintain some semblance of control.

5. Brain: The Critical Organ

Surprisingly, the brain is not immune to the effects of rising blood sugar. Prolonged mismanagement can impact brain function, potentially leading to various cognitive issues.

6. Eyes: Window to the Soul and Sugar Accumulation

Elevated blood sugar levels can even affect your eyes, contributing to conditions such as macular degeneration. Excessive sugar in the eyes can have detrimental effects on vision and ocular health.

Embracing Change: The Fasting Solution

So, what happens when you decide to take charge of your health and embark on a fasting journey? Dr. Mindy emphasizes the remarkable sequence in which your body tackles stored sugar during fasting.

1. The Blood: The First Frontier

The initial change you’ll notice when fasting is a gradual reduction in your blood sugar levels. Monitoring your blood sugar during this process can be exciting as you witness this positive change.

2. Liver: Unloading Stored Sugar

As your body adapts to fasting, it begins to draw from the sugar reserves stored in your liver. This ensures that your blood sugar continues to decrease.

3. Muscles, Fat, Brain, and Eyes: A Systematic Approach

Fasting is a holistic process that systematically addresses stored sugar in various areas of your body. It progresses from the liver to muscles, then to fat cells, and eventually to the brain and eyes. This orchestrated approach allows your body to maintain a balanced and regulated glucose level.

The Crucial Turning Point: Rising Blood Sugar During Fasting

One of the pivotal points that Dr. Mindy highlights is the potential increase in blood sugar during fasting. This phenomenon can be perplexing, but it holds a valuable secret. If you observe your blood sugar rising while fasting, it signifies that your body is actively targeting and releasing stored sugar from other locations. This is a remarkable aspect of your body’s adaptive capabilities.

Watch Why Blood Sugar Rises During Fasting

Stay Encouraged: Fasting’s Transformative Journey

Dr. Mindy passionately advises against getting discouraged by the temporary increase in blood sugar during fasting. It’s important to recognize that this rise is a positive sign that your body is effectively mobilizing stored sugar. This process is integral to the fasting journey and demonstrates your body’s incredible ability to adapt.

In conclusion, understanding why blood sugar rises during fasting is essential for anyone seeking to improve their health through fasting. Dr. Mindy Pelz’s enlightening insights remind us that our bodies are extraordinary, adaptable, and constantly working towards balance. So, stay patient, stay committed, and embrace the transformative power of fasting as your body gradually releases stored sugar, paving the way for a healthier you.