I recently watched a fantastic documentary on the Japanese channel NHK World. The documentary talked about the potentially dangerous health implication that can occur due to glucose spikes. Glucose spikes are the sudden increase in blood glucose levels which can occur after the consumption of food. Medical Studies have shown that glucose spikes have gone undetected for many years in individual’s who would otherwise be classed as healthy. These glucose spikes can affect healthy individual’s regardless of their age or gender. If glucose spikes are left untreated it can cause serious complications and life-threatening illnesses such as diabetes, cancers and even heart attacks.

The documentary focuses on healthy individual’s to see if glucose spikes are occurring.The individuals were given some food to eat and one hour after their meal blood samples were collected to see if any changes were developing. If glucose spikes are not occurring then blood glucose level shouldn’t be no higher than 7.8 mmol/l (140mg/dl). However, some of the individuals, were in fact, showing signs of having glucose spikes. They were then given a Free Style Libre blood glucose monitoring system to check their blood glucose levels after meals.

The documentary also outlines results from the latest research taking place in Japan, to help viewers develop a better understanding of the condition and even better manage the condition. An introduction of a checklist was provided to allows viewers to gauge if they are at risk of suffering from glucose spikes, depending on their age, weight, whether family members have diabetes etc. Each criterion was allocated a number to allow viewers to tally their results.

Although the focus of the documentary was to show the presence of glucose spikes in healthy individuals. As a type 1 diabetic, I found many beneficial aspects that I could take on board and implement into my daily diabetes management. It has allowed me to rethink for example, how much sleep and exercise I may be getting and its effects on my blood glucose levels. Even the order in which I choose to consume my meal (e.g. vegetables first, carbohydrates second and proteins last) and how this can also influence my blood glucose levels.

If you want to watch the documentary then you can catch it on NHK World TV

Medical Revolution: Glucose Spike Uncovering a Hidden Threat – May 6^th (Sat) 16.10 / 22.00 and May 7^th(Sun) 4.10 /10.10 (BST), You can also watch the documentary online on the same days.

Amina xx

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