What does low blood sugar mean to me?

[Hyperlite]

My dad has low-blood sugar and my grandma(on my dad's side had Type one diabetes). Would a naturally low blood sugar level give me an advantage while trying to lose fat or does it hurt me?

[daman1]

Do you mean diabetes???

[Kim2884]

I was under the impression that high blood sugar was a risk factor for diabetes, not low blood sugar...but i'm not sure. Blood glucose levels fluctuate based on food intake. If one has high blood sugar after a period of not eating, that's when there is a problem because the body is not responding to insulin (or isn't secreting insulin) by taking glucose out of the blood and into cells. I think low blood sugar is a good thing because your body probably responds well to insulin ( but again, this would depend on when you had it tested. If you hadn't eaten all day, it would be expected that your blood sugar is low...unless you are diabetic). Bottom line- the faster blood glucose levels decrease after a meal, the better your insulin sensitivity is.

[longhornDr]

It depends on the cause of the low blood sugar...

If it's because you have a naturally high sensitivty to insulin then it's a good thing.

If it's because you have a condition such as hyperinsulinemia then you will have an extremely hard time losing fat.

[Hyperlite]

I believe my dad said its where his body produces to much insulin and as a result, drops the blood sugar way too low...

I seem to lose fat fairly easily though

[SwoleCat]

Then he produces too much insulin in his particular case. (Your Dad)

~SC~

[Hyperlite]

And that is bad i guess..? I don't totally have a grasp on what insulin does, i need to do some research...I'll have to ask him again and make sure...

thanks all for your input

[SwoleCat]

Having high levels of insulin blunts your body's ability to burn fat. So yes, it can be problematic.

~SC~

[bigsd67]

insulin

Having high levels of insulin blunts your body's ability to burn fat. So yes, it can be problematic.

~SC~

[longhornDr]

I believe my dad said its where his body produces to much insulin and as a result, drops the blood sugar way too low...

I seem to lose fat fairly easily though

Do you have low blood sugar or are you just worried about it? Just because your dad has it does not mean you do. If you had hyperinsulinemia you would find it nearly impossible to lose body fat, on the other hand you would be able to get huge rather easily.