Lecture Notes: Hyperglycemia and Its Cardiometabolic Implications

Key Concepts

• Hyperglycemia is not only about high blood glucose levels.
• Direct effects on molecules like LDL and the glycocalyx.
• Contributes to inflammation and a heightened immune response.
• Creates a "perfect cardiometabolic storm."

Glyco-Oxidation

• Process referred to in a linked paper as glyco-oxidation or glyco-peroxidation.
• Important to acknowledge beyond just high glucose levels.

Consequences of Hyperglycemia

• Important not to minimize glucose spikes.
• Consequences include:
  • Inflammation
  • Oxidative stress
  • Damage to endothelium
  • LDL modification

Mitigating Glucose Spikes

• **Dietary Strategies: **
  • Avoiding carbohydrates to prevent glucose spikes.
  • Incorporating fiber when consuming glucose.
  • Use of allulose to blunt hyperglycemia (ongoing human studies).
  • Yerba mate with chlorogenic acid.
  • Apple cider vinegar.
  • Water extracted cinnamon (available at Costco).
• **Physical Activity: **
  • Walking after consuming glucose-spiking foods.

Additional Notes

• Misinterpretation of CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor) readings:
  • Exercise shows slow, steady glucose increase.
  • Sauna use may show false spikes due to CGM overheating.

Conclusion

• It's important to manage glucose spikes as they have meaningful health implications.
• Consider dietary and physical strategies to maintain glucose levels and reduce associated health risks.

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• 🔍 Hypoglycemia has broader consequences beyond just blood glucose and insulin, affecting LDL and inflammation.
• 🌪️ These processes contribute to a "perfect cardiometabolic storm," highlighting the seriousness of glucose spikes.
• 📉 Glyco oxidation or glyco peroxidation play a crucial role in the effects of elevated blood sugar levels.
• 🥦 To mitigate glucose spikes, avoiding carbs is most effective; fiber is essential when consuming carbs that spike glucose.
• 🚶‍♂️ Engaging in light physical activity, like walking post-meal, can significantly reduce glucose spikes.
• 🍏 Certain foods and compounds, like allulose and apple cider vinegar, can help blunt hypoglycemic responses to high-glucose foods.
• ⚠️ It’s important to recognize the meaningful consequences of hypoglycemia, including inflammation and oxidative stress.
• 📊 Monitoring strategies like using CGMs (Continuous Glucose Monitors) may misrepresent high glucose responses under certain conditions.