350. GLP-1 Agonists: Mechanisms To Applications With Dr. Dennis Bruemmer [aefc73]
Post Time: 2025-07-29
Maintaining a healthy blood sugar range is crucial for optimal health. The ideal blood sugar level varies from person to person and depends on several factors, including age, weight, physical activity level, and overall health. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the normal blood sugar levels are:
- Fasting plasma glucose: 70-99 mg/dL
- Postprandial glucose: Less than 140 mg/dL after meals
Understanding Normal Blood Sugar Fluctuations
Blood sugar fluctuations can be caused by various factors, including diet, exercise, stress, and sleep deprivation. When we eat a meal containing carbohydrates, our body breaks them down into glucose and releases it into the bloodstream. Insulin is then produced to facilitate the uptake of glucose by cells throughout the body.
Understanding how blood sugar levels fluctuate is essential in managing diabetes and maintaining overall health. Blood sugar spikes can occur due to consuming high-carbohydrate or high-glycemic foods, while blood sugar drops may be caused by skipping meals or engaging in strenuous physical activity without proper nutrition.
The Role of Diet in Maintaining a Healthy Blood Sugar Range
Diet plays a critical role in maintaining a healthy blood sugar range. Foods that are low on the glycemic index (GI) help regulate blood sugar levels, while those high on the GI cause spikes. Some examples of low-GI foods include whole grains like brown rice and quinoa, non-starchy vegetables, lean proteins like chicken and fish, and fruits.
In addition to choosing healthy foods, managing portion sizes is also essential in maintaining a healthy blood sugar range. Consuming large meals can lead to blood sugar fluctuations, while smaller, more frequent meals help regulate insulin levels.
Monitoring Your Blood Sugar Range Effectively
Monitoring your blood sugar level regularly helps you understand how it responds to different factors such as diet and exercise. Using a glucometer or continuous glucose monitor (CGM) is an effective way to track your blood sugar range over time. Regular monitoring allows for early detection of fluctuations, enabling adjustments to be made before complications arise.
Monitoring techniques also help identify patterns in your blood sugar levels, allowing you to make informed decisions about managing diabetes and maintaining overall health. It's essential to consult with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian to determine the best method for tracking your blood sugar range based on individual needs.
The Importance of Regular Exercise
Regular exercise helps maintain a healthy weight, improve insulin sensitivity, and regulate blood pressure. However, it can also cause fluctuations in blood sugar levels if not done correctly. Proper nutrition before and after physical activity is essential to avoid hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise per week helps maintain overall health while minimizing the risk of blood sugar fluctuations.
The Impact of Stress on Blood Sugar Levels
Stress can cause an increase in cortisol levels, leading to higher blood glucose. The effects of stress on blood sugar fluctuation are less well understood than its impact on other bodily systems. However, managing chronic stress through relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation helps maintain overall health.
In conclusion, maintaining a healthy blood sugar range is crucial for optimal health. Regular monitoring using glucometers or CGMs provides valuable insights into fluctuations caused by various factors including diet, exercise, stress, and sleep deprivation. Understanding these dynamics enables the development of effective strategies to manage diabetes while promoting overall well-being.
Calling all those with a passion for cardiovascular prevention! In this episode of the CardioNerds Cardiovascular Prevention Series, we take a deep dive into the world of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. Along the way, you’ll hear about the biology of the GLP-1 molecule and its related peptides, learn more about how GLP-1 agonists promote glycemic control, weight loss, and cardiometabolic health, and explore the current body of literature supporting the individualized application of these medications to patients with diabetes, obesity, and/or ASCVD. Join Dr. Christian Faaborg-Andersen (CardioNerds Academy Fellow and Internal Medicine Resident at MGH), Dr. Gurleen Kaur (Director of the CardioNerds Internship, Chief of House Einthoven, and Internal Medicine resident at BWH), and Dr. Rick Ferraro (CardioNerds Academy House Faculty and Cardiology Fellow at JHH) for a wide-ranging discussion on GLP-1 and GIP agonists with Dr. Dennis Bruemmer (Cardiologist will low blood sugar cause blurred vision and Director of the Center for Cardiometabolic Health in the section of Preventive Cardiology at the Cleveland Clinic). Show notes were drafted by Dr. Christian Faaborg-Andersen. Audio editing was performed by CardioNerds Academy Intern, student Dr. Tina Reddy. This episode was produced in collaboration with the American Society of Preventive Cardiology (ASPC) with independent medical education grant support from Novo Nordisk. See below for continuing medical education credit. Claim CME for this episode HERE. CardioNerds Prevention PageCardioNerds Episode PageCardioNerds AcademyCardionerds Healy Honor Roll CardioNerds Journal ClubSubscribe to The Heartbeat Newsletter!Check out CardioNerds SWAG!Become a CardioNerds Patron! Pearls and Quotes - GLP-1 Agonists: Mechanisms to Applications The selection and dosing of GLP-1 and GIP agonists (GLP-1s and GIPs) depends on their intended use as an anti-glycemic or anti-obesity agent. The cardiovascular benefits of GLP-1s and GIPs may be independent of does blood sugar cause dizziness improvements in glycemic control, and in part be driven by reduction in inflammation, a key driver of arterial plaque formation. In patients with comorbid coronary artery disease, obesity, and diabetes, GLP-1 agonists and SGLT-2 inhibitors should be used as first-line agents, over metformin. Tirzepatide is a dual agonist that activates GIP and GLP-1 receptors. GIP is highly expressed in the brain, which may mediate satiety, promote energy expenditure, and enhance peripheral glucose metabolism. Caution should be used with GLP-1 agonists in patients with long-standing diabetes complicated by gastroparesis, as well as incompletely treated diabetic retinopathy. GI upset is not uncommon with GLP-1/GIP agonists, and switching to a different agonist is unlikely to help. Show notes - GLP-1 Agonists: Mechanisms to Applications What are the mechanisms of action by which GLP-1 and GIP controls blood sugar and body weight? Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an endogenous hormone that is secreted in response to an oral glucose load. It promotes insulin release, inhibits glucagon secretion, and slows gastric emptying via the brain-intestine axis, leading to satiety. GLP-1 agonists are medications that mimic the effect of this hormone and, on average, lower hemoglobin A1C by 0.8% to 1.5%. These medications include semaglutide, liraglutide, and dulaglutide. Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) is also an endogenous hormone, similarly secreted by the body in response to an oral glucose load such as a meal. GIP is highly expressed in the arcuate nucleus and hypothalamus, which may mediate satiety, promote energy expenditure, and enhance peripheral glucose metabolism. Tirzepatide is a dual GLP-1/GIP agonist. What is the role of GLP-1/GIP agonists in patients with overweight/obesity and/or type 2 diabetes? How does the dosing of GLP-1/GIP medications change with does beans spike blood sugar their intended disease target?