Dangers of low sugar?

Blacktie.

So people love to demonise high sugar all day long but what are the drawbacks of not having enough sugar? My sugar count is usually in the single digits these days especially on low carb days.

Cross post from the nutrition forum. Thought I might get some more responses here.

ford2600

Blacktie. wrote: »

So people love to demonise high sugar all day long but what are the drawbacks of not having enough sugar? My sugar count is usually in the single digits these days especially on low carb days.

Cross post from the nutrition forum. Thought I might get some more responses here.

Are you measuring you sugar level?

Are you training on low carb days?

When you eat a lot a lot of carbs are they decent quality with a slow response?

Edit: for lots of good critical info on low carb Danny at Sigma Nutrition has some great posts/videos

Blacktie.

Ye using MyFitnessPal. Low carb days are for rest days. Workout days are all of the carbs :pac:

I've recently started listening to his podcast. Great information and am just trying to catch up on all of it at the moment.

Your blood sugar levels should always be single digits

Blacktie.

Deleted User wrote: »

Your blood sugar levels should always be single digits

Not blood sugar. Sugar in my diet. Total sugar intake.

Oh. I see!

There are no drawbacks to having no sugar in your diet. There are drawbacks to having no carbs in your diet, but not sugar.

Although, I'm being a simplistic in my view of "sugar".

MartyMcFly84

Sugars are Carbohydrates.

Brian?

There are no dangers once you're eating enough kcals. There are side effects such as lethargy at the start but your body adapts.

Oregano_State

Deleted User wrote: »

Oh. I see!

There are no drawbacks to having no sugar in your diet. There are drawbacks to having no carbs in your diet, but not sugar.

Although, I'm being a simplistic in my view of "sugar".

I'd agree with this. Carbs are broken down into simple sugars which are then put to use at a cellular level in the body.

MaceFace

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Oh. I see!

There are no drawbacks to having no sugar in your diet. There are drawbacks to having no carbs in your diet, but not sugar.

Although, I'm being a simplistic in my view of "sugar".

What are the drawbacks of no carbs in your diet?

ford2600

MaceFace wrote: »

What are the drawbacks of no carbs in your diet?

Actually came across an interesting one today. Chris Masterjohn podcast; he mentioned how in some people low carb can lead to low insulin levels, which in turn can effect thyroid function and then ldl clearance from blood.

Thyroid is critical on whether cells uptake cholesterol from lipoprotein; even if cholesterol is plentiful in blood the absence of properly functioning thyroid the ldl will stay in blood for longer which isn't good.

MaceFace

ford2600 wrote: »

Actually came across an interesting one today. Chris Masterjohn podcast; he mentioned how in some people low carb can lead to low insulin levels, which in turn can effect thyroid function and then ldl clearance from blood.

Thyroid is critical on whether cells uptake cholesterol from lipoprotein; even if cholesterol is plentiful in blood the absence of properly functioning thyroid the ldl will stay in blood for longer which isn't good.

but that only applies to some people?...
Generally speaking, I've not heard of any problems avoiding carbs...

ford2600

MaceFace wrote: »

but that only applies to some people?...
Generally speaking, I've not heard of any problems avoiding carbs...

I eat low carb myself most of the time, and it suits me, but I've met loads which it doesn't suit. I don't know the reason why.

If I felt listless on low carb or any other way of eating I wouldn't be long in changing up.

The reason I mentioned it was if you simplify down the human body you can make an argument that carbs aren't essential; in reality the human is anything but simple.

Leave st that or Bruno might come back!

MaceFace

MaceFace wrote: »

but that only applies to some people?...
Generally speaking, I've not heard of any problems avoiding carbs...

Low carb would include vegetables, fruit etc.

No carb would not.

trishasaffron

I dont use much sugar but when I try to cut it out I find I sleep really badly. And its not a short term effect.

MartyMcFly84

You need Carbohydrates for proper brain function.

The problem is in many modern diets people eat far too many simple carbs and have a far more sedentary lifestyle.

So some brainiac comes up with the idea TOO many carbs = Bad NO carbs= Good.

Its not that simple. Depending on your level of activity the amount of carbohydrate you need will vary. Try focus more on complex carbs instead of simple and not have them in every meal.

Hanley

One of the biggest dangers of low sugar is seeing abs come thru and becoming immediately irresistible to the opposite sex**.

**not limited to the opposite sex.

MaceFace

From here


Circumstance Carbohydrate Requirement(1) Grams for an athlete with 160 lbs. LBM
Physiological Requirement 0 g/day 0 g/day
PracticalMinimum to Avoid Muscle Breakdown(2) 50 g/day 50 g/day
Practical Minimum for Individuals Who Function Poorly In Ketosis(3) 100-120 g/day 100-120 g/day
Additional Amount to Sustain Low Intensity Exercise Minimal approaching zero Minimal approaching zero
Additional Amount Needed to Sustain Weight Training 5 g carbs. per 2 work sets(4) 5 g carbs. per 2 work sets(4)
Average Recommendations in Bodybuilding Nutrition 1-3 g/lb. 160-480 g/day
Average Recommendations by Mainstream Nutritionists 2-3 g/lb 320-480 g/day
Average Intake for Endurance Athletes 2 g/lb 320 g/day
Recommended Intake for Endurance Athletes 3-4.5 g/lb 480-720 g/day
Practical Maximum for Non-Carb Loading Individuals 4 g/lb 640 g/day
Maximal Intakes for Carb-Loading ~7 g/lb 1120 g/day
1. All values are in g/lb. To convert to g/kg, multiply by 2.2.
2. Note: If protein intake is sufficient, this amount of carbohydrate is not required.
3. All values above this line assume no exercise and do not change significantly with body weight.
4. Assumes a set length of 30-45 seconds.

I'm not advocating eliminating carbs from the diet completely, nor do I think it really possible or really wise, and I am certainly not a carb zealot like "another poster" who hasn't shown up yet.

I won't say anything more on it, except that people get hooked up too much on what they eat.

Mellor

That table woke suggest that;
some carbs > no carbs