The dose makes the poison!!

Author - Ravi Kulkarni

 

This principle is the cornerstone of modern toxicology practice. The idea is that even harmful substances, such as poisons, are safe to consume in very small doses. For example, many heavy metal poisons such as Arsenic or Lead are ever present in our environment. Therefore, they are also present in many foods we consume in minute quantities. Toxicology experts have studied their effects on the body and that knowledge has been incorporated into the regulatory guidelines such as those provided by the FDA for foods that are marketed in interstate commerce. 

 

But this principle is not only about poisons. Even harmless substances such as water can become poisonous if consumed in large quantities. Our diets have gone so far out of whack with our nature that most people end up suffering the consequences of overdosing on foods that become poisons. 

 

Since I have been wearing a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) for a while, I have noticed how the dose does make the poison. The following example will illustrate this concept very clearly. I find it hard to avoid coffee in the morning and it is not complete unless it has milk and sugar. I have tried various combinations, such as sugarless, black without sugar, with sugar substitutes (such as coconut sugar), but none are satisfactory. I know it is a weakness, but why live if you can’t give in to a few weaknesses?

 

So, here is my glucose chart for one day. 

 

 

Note the max numbers 149 and 139 between 6am and 8am. This is the result of drinking 250ml of coffee (water and milk 50/50) with approximately 1.25 teaspoons of sugar. See the chart on the next day.

 

 

On this day, I drank 200ml of coffee with slightly less than one teaspoon of sugar. The max numbers are now 91 and 121. It is a dramatic difference! The difference in response is almost proportional to the difference in the amount of sugar. What’s more important is that these blood glucose levels are far safer than 150 mg/dL for the body.

 

Over a period of several months, I have made several such observations and fine tuning of my diet. The key message here is that, to live a healthy life, one doesn’t have to sacrifice all the good things. Knowledge is power! Know your body well and you can adjust your lifestyle and diets that maximize health and well being.