Subclinical Reactive Hypoglycemia with Low Glucose Effectiveness—Why We Cannot Stop Snacking despite Gaining Weight

Abstract

Obesity has grown worldwide owing to modern obesogenic lifestyles, including frequent snacking. Recently, we studied continuous glucose monitoring in obese/overweight men without diabetes and found that half of them exhibit glucose levels less than 70 mg/dL after a 75-g oral glucose load without notable hypoglycemic symptoms. Interestingly, people with “subclinical reactive hypoglycemia (SRH)” snack more frequently than those without it. Since the ingestion of sugary snacks or drinks could further induce SRH, a vicious cycle of “Snacking begets snacking via SRH” can be formed. Glucose effectiveness (Sg) is an insulin-independent mechanism that contributes to most of the whole-body glucose disposal after an oral glucose load in people without diabetes. Our recent data suggest that both higher and lower Sg are associated with SRH, while the latter but not the former is linked to snacking habits, obesity, and dysglycemia. The present review addresses the possible role of SRH in snacking habits in people with obesity/overweight, taking Sg into account. It is concluded that, for those with low Sg, SRH can be regarded as a link between snacking and obesity. Prevention of SRH by raising Sg might be key to controlling snacking habits and body weight.

Beyond the Metabolic Syndrome: Non-Obvious Complications of Obesity in Children

“…Recent studies indicate that individuals with obesity may have blood glucose levels below 70 mg/dL without significant hypoglycemic symptoms, except for hunger [7]. That, in turn, may be responsible for snacking behavior [8]. The cause of reactive hypoglycemia is inappropriate insulin secretion.…”

“…Alternatively, when interpreting OGTT results, it is worth paying attention not only to the high glycemia values at 120 min after a load but also to those that are within the reference range but are lower than the preload glycemia values. In obese patients with symptoms typical of reactive hypoglycemia or an uncontrollable tendency to snack on sweet snacks, it is worth considering a prolonged oral glucose tolerance test (up to 180 or 240 min) [8]. The basis of treatment is to modify the diet and make the patient aware of the importance of eating regular, well-composed meals and avoiding carbohydrates in the diet.…”

Soy-Based High-Protein Spheric Foods with the Appearance of Familiar Sugary Snacks

“…Experimental and longitudinal data show that increased dietary snack consumption contributes to energy intake in the diet as well as higher body mass levels [9]. However, since in-between-meal snacking has been casually incorporated into our daily lives, it is not easy to escape from the habit [10]. For those with overeating behavior and binge eating disorder (BED), mere confrontation with food triggers a conditioned response, that is, a cue-induced food craving [11].…”

Reactive Hypoglycemia: A Trigger for Nutrient-Induced Endocrine and Metabolic Responses in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

“…The link between hypoglycemic symptoms and adrenal hormone secretion indicates that the clinical symptoms are important clues pointing to the triggering of the adrenals. The link between hypoglycemic symptoms and obesity suggests that hypoglycemia may alter eating/snacking behavior, as observed by Kishimoto in men with subclinical hypoglycemia [25]. Since PCOS is an insulin-resistant state and a significant number of patients may have obesity and metabolic syndrome, several studies attempted to identify the optimal diet for weight loss and maintenance in PCOS.…”