For the nest few weeks this part of the website will be dedicated to the description of the various aspects of metabolism activation. A process such as this which involves the whole body cannot be summed up in a few lines and must be taken apart and analyzed in all of its fundamental points.

This week we'll be addressing insulin and most of all the difference between glycemic index and glycemic load. Let's begin with a definition. The glycemic index is found by measuring the increase in glycemia that is produced when a subject is given 50 grams of sugar extracted from a food. Therefore, the glycemic index tells us how quickly the sugar concentration in  the blood rises and is expressed in relation to the increase produced by 50 grams of pure glucose.

This means that the index doesn't depend upon the sugar content of each single food. Let's look at an example: melon has a very high glycemic index but this doesn't take into consideration the fact that in order to reach 50 grams of sugar a person would have to eat 6-7 melons at one time. This explains why we can't only consider this parameter when we evaluate the body's response and especially the insulin response.

The glycemic load, on the other hand, is determined by multiplying the glycemic index by the quantity of sugar contained in the foods that are consumed. By introducing the variable of the amount of carbohydrates ingested in every single food that is eaten, we can reach a more precise evaluation of its affect upon the body.

These specifications are not to be underestimated when we speak of insulinic calm. The choice of foods is substantially different if we consider the two different indexes. If we only look at the glycemic index, we'll be prone to eliminate or at least limit our consumption of melon. If on the other hand, we base our choice on glycemic load, melon wouldn't have any negative effects as long as we don't eat it in great quantities.

After we have discussed the basic theories, we'll address the various aspects related to an important hormone like insulin in dealing with metabolism stimulus and the general re-balancing of lean mass and body fat

Dr. Gabriele Piuri and Dr. Attilio Speciani
Eurosalus Medical Staff