The Calorie Cycles

Since the calorie cycles are fundamentally a basic tenement of health. this article will precede the How the Body Works (part 1) articles.

All body processes need energy. And energy comes from one thing, calories. Calories come in many forms, not just as sugars. As you gain understanding of how calories set up the blood sugar functions, many different health issues gain clarity.

Blood sugars are a prime factor in body energy systems. There are many stages in calorie cycles. First, there is the pre-body stage, then the intake and processing stage, the storage stage, the usage stage, and then lastly, the elimination phase.

PRE-BODY STAGE

The pre-body stage is determined by calorie forms in dietary choices and the current state of body functions, either what has happened in the past, including any influences from genetics. Diabetes represents a dramatic body change impacting calorie functions. Nature packages calories in food in different forms, some in complex carbohydrates, some simple carbos, and in proteins, fats, and oils. Well, these three are not calories at this point, but can later be turned into blood sugars if body levels get get too low. PLus, any excess can also get stored as fat.

INTAKE and PROCESSING CALORIE STAGE

Digestion is the processes of breaking down food so calories can began to get absorbed in the small intestines.   Simple carbs first, then complex carbs release calories for assimilation. Levels of calories here are a factor for the regulation of the intestinal pH, a controller of further assimilation and intestinal bacterial mix health. Proteins, fats, and oils continue on their own pathway and into the body.

THE STORAGE STAGE

This is where the story gets interesting. There are four ways for calories and blood sugars to go form here. First, into the blood for immediate use by body metabolism. Next, into muscles and stored as glycogen for use later that day or maybe the next couple of days. When these two storage areas get full, another area is used, FAT, as storage for future use.

THE USAGE STAGE

Calories are fuel for the body to function. First, calories are turned into thermal energy, or heat, to control body temperature. Many body functions need a set temperature for proper functioning. Second, some calories are turned into work energy for cellular functions, like muscle contraction, nerve flow, and enzyme metabolism. If any calories are leftover, they are turned back into the fat storage cycle for future use. This is part of the transformation and conservation of energy principle.

THE ELIMINATION STAGE

After calories are converted into blood sugars and used for heat, energy or locked into fat storage, there should not be a need for elimination. But, hiccups can occur and blood sugar can get too high, or it spills out into urine. This is not natural and medical intervention is necessary to return to health.

BLOOD SUGAR BALANCE

Fat storage ideally should only occasionally be needed. This is determined by three things. First, the amount of calories consumed at each meal, and next by body movement, or exercise, to open up muscle storage room. And last, by insulin secretion and functions to process blood sguar into cells. Unless genetics overrides, you are in control of calorie movement and usage. The best way to help the body make muscle glucose storage, is the take a casual walk for 10-15 minutes after most meals. If you work at a physical job, this will suffice for the storage part, but an after meal walk is also used as a stress reducer and to aid digestion, while physical work is not. Fast walking is also not needed as it can hinder digestion process.

Insulin and glucose, or blood sugar, have a synergistic relationship. The body secretes insulin when blood levels get high to trap excess and move into cells for work or to get stored as fat by the liver. Exercise is fundamental for this insulin function and blood glucose balance through muscle action.

There is a rather intriguing dilemma when attempting to eat less for weight loss. The body senses a fasting state coming and reduces blood sugar levels and muscle glycogen storage to favor fat storage for the anticipated future lean times. One of the adverse effects of dieting, is that while fat may be reduced, if one is not exercising at the same time, muscles may be reduced as well. The heart is a muscle, and if it gets reduced, it gets stressed if the weight is returned since the smaller heart now has to work harder.

Excessive size meals are also a problem with higher levels of blood sugar, hormone changes, increased indigestion factors, and weight gain, usually only as fat and not for muscle strength.

Dietary meals should supply ample nutrients, vitamins and minerals, with just the right amount of calories. This spares proteins from having to convert into blood sugar which takes it away form necessary protein functions, like building tissues, hormones, and enzymes. And of course, fats and oils have vital regulatory functions such as inflammation control and hormone balance.