We all need sugars to function. We should, preferably, get them in the form of long chains called carbohydrates. Carbohydrates, when taken into the body, are broken down to simple sugars called glucose. Glucose travels through the cell membrane through its own channel that is controlled by insulin, which means that glucose can only enter the cell when it is allowed by insulin.

After a large meal, the body produces more insulin to increase the amount of glucose that can enter the cell. This, unfortunately, gives excess fuel for the engines of the cell: the mitochondria. Mitochondria produce waste just as a gas engine produces pollution, but intracellular waste consists of oxygen free-radicals instead of smog. The higher amount of oxygen free-radical waste in the cell increases the amount of “oxidative stress” within the cell. The free-radicals are called such because they can bind to other proteins in the cell and then destroy them.

Because of this destructive process, the cell slowly loses its ability to function, causing us to age and become infirm. If we decrease our carbohydrate intake, the mitochondria decrease their production of free-radicals, and everybody is happy. Well, at least our bodies are happy. There are a multitude of studies that show if we reduce our total calorie intake, something called “calorie restriction,” we not only live longer but age healthier. A great way to reduce your daily total calories is to replace one meal a day with fitmixer® slim™!

Tune in next week for more about sugar!