Post: High glucose diets and hyperactivity

Posted by Jan Katzen-Luchenta AMI on 9/27/06

More | Report Post

Great information on this message board. As a teacher of
the littlest of learners I have observed quite a
correlation over the years between high glycemic and low
glycemic diets and hyperactive, moody children and children
who are quite content and focused.

I decided to compare my observations with the nutritional
scientific community who measure every nutrient within the
human body, how they work individually and in tandem with
other nutrients, and of course, how chemicals can throw our
entire metabolism out of whack.

I am in complete awe that we are still feeding our children
processed foods that the body identifies as ready to roll,
emitting a rush of insulin (and compensatory adrenaline
response) that in little children has an effect 10 times
that of an adults.

Little Learner’s Fact: High glucose diet induces
hyperactivity

All major dietary carbohydrates contain glucose.
Researchers at the Department of physiology at Michigan
State University have discovered sympathetic hyperactivity
can be induced in animal studies by high glucose diets. The
high insulin response to glucose may contribute to raising
the blood pressure and stimulating the sympathetic nervous
system in laboratory animals. The sympathetic nervous
system activates what is often termed the fight or flight
response which activates the secretion of adrenaline.


A lunch table observation
I watched a child’s behavior completely deteriorate at the
lunch table today. She was enjoying a slice of pizza with
approximately 5 milimeters of topping and 1 inch of doughy
crust with a side dish of snack crackers. Within 15 minutes
this little one was so out of control that she forgot she
was eating and became a bobble head doll. Adrenaline, fight
or flight, or in an altered state-whatever.

The best source of energy are complex carbohydrates.
Complex carbohydrates are like time released energy
capsules. They provide slow constant energy. The stomach
feels full longer and the body does not experience the
highs and lows of blood sugar swings. This is due to the
dietary fiber in complex carbohydrates and its inherent
resistant starch.

Complex carbohydrates are found in whole grains, nuts, and
seeds, vegetables, fruits, and legumes such as lentils,
peas, and beans. These foods provide the little learner
with vitamins, minerals, and fiber as well as energy.

Too much sugar or the wrong kind of carbohydrate may
disrupt the brain’s ability to properly use and make
essential nutrients it needs for development and peak
performance. (Just because a food contains complex carbs,
it does not mean it is healthy. For example, white bread or
whole wheat bread contains complex carbs but they have been
refined and do not retain the fiber and natural resistant
starch content of the whole grain or its many nutrients.)

Nobel Peace Prize? Peace begins within our unique
metabolism and understanding the differences in
macronutrients and the impact they have on our red blood
cells and neurons.

Nutrition for Learning

Posts on this thread, including this one

High glucose diets and hyperactivity, 9/27/06, by Jan Katzen-Luchenta AMI.