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The Physiology of Willpower: Linking Blood Glucose to Self-Control

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Re: The Physiology of Willpower: Linking Blood Glucose to Self-Control

#11

Post by decode »

sharpn wrote: post #8

I think 'ramen profitable' is a great pithy phrase, but to work long hours effectively (and stay healthy) it always struck me as a false economy to live on rice & beans. Good to see some data on the topic.

I can't figure out if you're saying your expectations were confirmed or undermined.

I don't know much about nutrition, but I was under the impression that noodles, rice, and beans are all high in starch, which the body turns into significant amounts of glucose in a healthy way (sustained blood glucose over time, instead of short spikes like with simple sugars). I'm sure surviving on Ramen is bad for you, but as far as this article is concerned, it will help you have self-control.

Re: The Physiology of Willpower: Linking Blood Glucose to Self-Control

#12

Post by peregrine »

WilliamLP wrote: post #9
jackchristopher wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

1. Lift. Muscle suck up glucose, improve (long term) sensitivity. 2. Eat fat/protein with sugary foods. Helps blunt the effect. [1] 3. Don't eat too many carbs. Even the AHA recommends below 60% because of other negatives. [2] 4. Eat the right carb sources. Starchy tubers are best: potatoes, yam/sweet potatoes, cassava and rice. And fruits like bananas, plantains and grapefruit. 5. Eat high GI foods unless your blood…

Isn't the claim of the parent article that _lower_ blood glucose and insulin levels decrease self control? So wouldn't all of those work in the wrong direction?

He did offer solutions to lower blood sugar, but he also provided solutions to increase blood sugar sensitivity and told you to eat much better carbs. Tubers, Rice, etc etc.

Re: The Physiology of Willpower: Linking Blood Glucose to Self-Control

#13

Post by dtf »

There used to be a scheme in towns in the UK whereby police would hand out lollipops to people leaving clubs. Many clubs kick out at the same time (2am), mixing large numbers of drunken people in a small area. Drinking means blood sugar levels drop, which means people get hungry and competitive, and the end result is more often than not a large and violent brawl in the nearest kebab shop. The reasons given for the lollipops were threefold: 1) it helps to return their blood sugar levels, reducing stress; 2) it gives them something to do with their hands (unwrap the lollipop, hold it), other than smashing them into the nearest face; 3) it keeps the noise levels down for the sake of the residents in the area, as your are less likely to yak incessantly at high volume with a delicious ball of sugar in your gob. I'm not sure whether they still have this scheme (maybe there are legal risks? choking? diabetes?) but for a while it existed in several trouble spots in the country.

Re: The Physiology of Willpower: Linking Blood Glucose to Self-Control

#14

Post by overman »

decode wrote: post #11
sharpn wrote: post #8

I think 'ramen profitable' is a great pithy phrase, but to work long hours effectively (and stay healthy) it always struck me as a false economy to live on rice & beans. Good to see some data on the topic.

I can't figure out if you're saying your expectations were confirmed or undermined. I don't know much about nutrition, but I was under the impression that noodles, rice, and beans are all high in starch, which the body turns into significant amounts of glucose in a healthy way (sustained blood glucose over time, instead of short spikes like with simple sugars). I'm sure surviving on Ramen is bad for you, but as far a…

Noodles and rice are pretty "spikey", beans are better though.

Re: The Physiology of Willpower: Linking Blood Glucose to Self-Control

#15

Post by enra »

WilliamLP wrote: post #9
jackchristopher wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

1. Lift. Muscle suck up glucose, improve (long term) sensitivity. 2. Eat fat/protein with sugary foods. Helps blunt the effect. [1] 3. Don't eat too many carbs. Even the AHA recommends below 60% because of other negatives. [2] 4. Eat the right carb sources. Starchy tubers are best: potatoes, yam/sweet potatoes, cassava and rice. And fruits like bananas, plantains and grapefruit. 5. Eat high GI foods unless your blood…

Isn't the claim of the parent article that _lower_ blood glucose and insulin levels decrease self control? So wouldn't all of those work in the wrong direction?

Eating too much or only carbs will spike your blood glucose and insulin production. After the carbs are gone your glucose level starts to decline pretty fast since there is too much insulin.

It's better to eat more fat/protein and keep the glucose levels more stable than ride a rollercoaster.

Re: The Physiology of Willpower: Linking Blood Glucose to Self-Control

#16

Post by menloparkbum »

jackchristopher wrote: post #6
embeddedradical wrote: post #5

Professor Martin Wiseman, Medical and Scientific Advisor for World Cancer Research Fund, gives his top five tips on How To Maintain Healthy Blood Sugar Levels: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/67006.php

1. Lift. Muscle suck up glucose, improve (long term) sensitivity. 2. Eat fat/protein with sugary foods. Helps blunt the effect. [1] 3. Don't eat too many carbs. Even the AHA recommends below 60% because of other negatives. [2] 4. Eat the right carb sources. Starchy tubers are best: potatoes, yam/sweet potatoes, cassava and rice. And fruits like bananas, plantains and grapefruit. 5. Eat high GI foods unless your blood…

The carb sources you mention have very different GI loads.

Potatoes are very high, Grapefruit is low. The rest are in between.

Re: The Physiology of Willpower: Linking Blood Glucose to Self-Control

#17

Post by jackchristopher »

WilliamLP wrote: post #9
jackchristopher wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

1. Lift. Muscle suck up glucose, improve (long term) sensitivity. 2. Eat fat/protein with sugary foods. Helps blunt the effect. [1] 3. Don't eat too many carbs. Even the AHA recommends below 60% because of other negatives. [2] 4. Eat the right carb sources. Starchy tubers are best: potatoes, yam/sweet potatoes, cassava and rice. And fruits like bananas, plantains and grapefruit. 5. Eat high GI foods unless your blood…

Isn't the claim of the parent article that _lower_ blood glucose and insulin levels decrease self control? So wouldn't all of those work in the wrong direction?

Yes it's counterintuitive. Chronically high insulin (insensitivity) is bad. But chronically low is bad also. Many (probably most) people have the former. So in the blood they have free floating insulin chasing nonexistent glucose, screwing their metabolism.

I recommended fewer carbs (and other measures) would lead to higher sensitivity; better blood glucose control.

EDIT: I second enra's comment.

Re: The Physiology of Willpower: Linking Blood Glucose to Self-Control

#18

Post by ovi256 »

Luc wrote: post #4
jasongullickson wrote: post #2

I haven't read the entire paper yet, but the summary has me downloading the PDF. I've definitely noticed a relationship like this in my own behavior, and desired ways to manage it effectively. It will be interesting to see if the complete text sheds light on this and provides tools to do so.

I can hardly believe it, but it's free to download! A pleasant surprise.

Free access to tax funded research ? Is that not socialism ?

So good to see open scientific journals getting popular!

Re: The Physiology of Willpower: Linking Blood Glucose to Self-Control

#19

Post by decode »

overman wrote: post #14
decode wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can't figure out if you're saying your expectations were confirmed or undermined. I don't know much about nutrition, but I was under the impression that noodles, rice, and beans are all high in starch, which the body turns into significant amounts of glucose in a healthy way (sustained blood glucose over time, instead of short spikes like with simple sugars). I'm sure surviving on Ramen is bad for you, but as far a…

Noodles and rice are pretty "spikey", beans are better though.

I always thought the long-term blood glucose levels were the reason that runners traditionally have a spaghetti dinner the night before a big race. Am I confused, or is there just bad science behind this practice?

Re: The Physiology of Willpower: Linking Blood Glucose to Self-Control

#20

Post by DanielBMarkham »

ovi256 wrote: post #18
Luc wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can hardly believe it, but it's free to download! A pleasant surprise.

Free access to tax funded research ? Is that not socialism ? So good to see open scientific journals getting popular!

Socialism is where you take my work whether you pay me or not and give it freely to everybody else.
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