Blood sugar Quote by Gary Taubes
““The vitamin-C molecule is similar in configuration to glucose and other sugars in the body. It is shuttled from the bloodstream into the cells by the same insulin-dependent transport system used by glucose. Glucose and vitamin C compete in this cellular-uptake process, like strangers trying to flag down the same taxicab simultaneously. Because glucose is greatly favored in the contest, the uptake of vitamin C by cells is “globally inhibited” when blood-sugar levels are elevated. In effect, glucose regulates how much vitamin C is taken up by the cells, according to the University of Massachusetts nutritionist John Cunningham. If we increase blood-sugar levels, the cellular uptake of vitamin C will drop accordingly. Glucose also impairs the reabsorption of vitamin C by the kidney, and so, the higher the blood sugar, the more vitamin C will be lost in the urine. Infusing insulin into experimental subjects has been shown to cause a “marked fall” in vitamin-C levels in the circulation. In””
About This Quote
Source Article: The New York Times, “The Sweet Truth About Vitamin C”, 2005
High blood sugar competes with vitamin C for cellular uptake, reducing its availability and increasing its loss in urine.
In simple terms: Sugar blocks vitamin C entry into cells and boosts its excretion.
Key Takeaway
Manage blood sugar to preserve vitamin C levels.
Themes
nutrition
metabolism
health
biochemistry
Mood
concerned
informative
Type
scientific
educational
When to use this quote
- diabetes management
- diet planning
- supplement timing
- clinical research
Key Concepts
glucose competition
insulin transport
vitamin C bioavailability
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your diet affect vitamin C absorption?
- Can insulin therapy improve vitamin C status?
A Different Perspective
Effect may vary with individual insulin sensitivity and other nutrients.
