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12/08/09 12:56 PM

"After beginning a meal, when is the "peak" and when does the BS return to normal levels?"

Asked By: jcrick

Category: Blood Glucose Monitoring

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The information in this video is confusing: http://www.dlife.com/dlifeTv/v10606078001-dLife-QA:-Post-Prandial-Numbers.html?c=979709878. I understand from other sources that the BG peak occurs 45-60 minutes after the first bite and that the 2 hour Postprandial is actually when the BS should be approaching a normal level. This contradicts the video somewhat. Can you clarify?

Expert Answers (2)

12/09/09 02:44 PM

Hello,

Thanks for asking dLife.

How quickly blood glucose (sugar) peaks varies with the type and amounts of food eaten at any single meal. The higher the fat or fiber content, the longer it takes the blood gucose to peak. It may take longer than 2 hours for the blood glucose to return to pre-meal status.

How blood glucose rises is also dependent upon the person's blood glucose level before the meal and degree of fitness.

As you can see, managing blood glucose is challenging. It is more of an art as than an exact science. There are multiple factors that influence its patterm. Therefore, you would encounter varying information on the subject of blood glucose patterns.

As you continue to monitor your blood glucose and record the readings, you may notice your own pattern or trend. Over time, you will be better able to predict how your body responds to a variety of conditions.

Take care.

Answered By: Liz Quintana

Accreditations: EdD, RD, LD, CDE

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12/09/09 03:32 PM

Hello JCrick: I do apologize for the confusion.
The sources I would reference, (as well as the reference sources used on dLife), would define 'peak' to be the "90-120 minutes after the first bite" of food. This is a range as to allow, ("for most"), for the variables that will impact the blood glucose readings:

content of the meal, % of carb, protein or fat

individual efficiency of the GI system, efficiency of digestion/absorption, (these activities are influenced by age, the gastric acids become less with simple aging causing a slow the digestion rate), as well as any slight neuropathies within the whole overall system

activities, (a walk after dinner)

stress level

efficiency of circulation and insulin secretion and delivery.

As you can see, not a perfect science point, but a range area that should approximate and capture the absolute excursion level or 'peak.' It is at that guess-estimated 'peak point' that excursions should be at their highest and turning downward as your insulin opens body cells' to allow the glucose to enter-where glucose does what it is suppose to do, produce energy, help with healing and may others functions.

These post glucose readings all influence the average-mean number of the A1C, (best practice<7%). Under normal healthy states, the fuels to the glucose readings come primarily from the foods: Carbohydrates are 100% within the first 2 hours, protein influences, at 50%, during the 3-4 hour post meal, and lastly is the fat, at 20%, that can be traced at the 5-6 hour post meal. Following that 1st bite: insulin production rises rapidly; your peak production of insulin is about the 30 minute mark and returns to baseline at about 3 hours.
Hope this makes sense, regards Sue

Answered By: Susan Throop

Accreditations: RD, CDE, MA

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(2 Answers)

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