Monthly Newsletter

 HEALTH DESIGN, INC.
The Mid-afternoon Sag    Volume 1, Issue 8
   September 11, 2001

 
Daily, millions of us are attacked  by the "mid-afternoon sag". 
This event 
generally occurs about 3:00 to 3:30 pm and is characterized by an abrupt decrease in energy, mental fatigue, irritability, shakiness, lethargy, and 
maybe even a headache. 

So, what is happening to us to cause us to experience this phenomenon? Most 
often this collection of symptoms is secondary to improper nutrition 
reflecting back to what was eaten or not eaten at breakfast and lunch.

 The " Sag" occurs as a result of the glucose/insulin rollercoaster effect 
which is secondary to skipping breakfast or lunch or eating primarily a high 
carbohydrate  breakfast (donut or cereal only) or pasta type  or other high 
carbohydrate lunch. 

The carbohydrate loading meal after it is metabolized, causes the pancreas to secrete insulin hormone, which then drives the blood sugar down. The resultant blood sugar level is frequently below normal levels as a rebound effect, thus creating the rollercoaster 

 insulin/blood sugar result, which 
produces the "Sag" effect as  described above. 

The way to avoid this is to eat meals balanced with 1/3 protein, 1/3 
carbohydrate, and 1/3 unsaturated fat. This meal has been proven to stabilize  the insulin response to our meals, thus, avoiding the rollercoaster effect. 

If we become hungry or lethargic in mid-afternoon, a balanced snack as 
described above will deal with the problem as well as preventing us from crashing on the couch in the early evening.

 Spend some time learning about basic nutrition so that you will at least have some knowledge about what you are eating.

I refer you to the book, "The Cardiac Surgeon's Diet And Health Design" for 
a concise simplified handbook of must- know nutritional information.

Respectfully yours, 
BP Loughridge, MD 


 


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