BLOOD SUGAR & BREATHING
from The Blue Mountains Gazette
“There is an insidious connection between adrenalin and insulin which are two hormones present in our body’s lymphatic system” says Buteyko Breathing teacher Jennifer Harris.
“If an individual lives on a diet that is high in simple sugars and other fast glucose release foods such as white bread, white rice, white pasta and potatoes the consequence is rapid rise and fall of the insulin levels their body. When the insulin level drops suddenly the body’s ‘fight or flight’ mechanism becomes activated and triggers the release of adrenalin. Adrenalin then causes an increase in the respiratory rate resulting in over breathing. Any breathing which is noisy, rapid, taken in or out via the mouth, paradoxical, big or upper chest and shallow results in a chronic drop of the blood levels of carbon dioxide."
"Carbon dioxide is the facilitator gas for oxygen which enables a healthy delivery of oxygen to all of our cells, a smooth muscle dilator and is essential for a healthy pH level in our bodies. When our bodies are disturbed by this over breathing, or hyperventilation, the physical reaction is again one of distress which once more stimulates the release of adrenalin into our body chemistry. When we are over breathing we are oxygen deprived and far more likely to want a quick energy ‘fix’ of rapid release sugary food. This unhealthy cycle helps to lay the grounds for such blood sugar disturbances as diabetes and hypoglycemia”.
If you have any enquiries about breathing or Pilates, please phone Jennifer Harris BIBH FATD on 0414 833 857 or visit Jennifer’s website at www.pnc.com.au/~breatheasy or email breatheasy@pnc.com.au.