Relationship between Stress, Hypertension, and Blood Sugar Levels

MOST Health professionals recognize the close relationship between stress and hypertension. But when it is said that stress and hypertension are also associated with blood sugar levels, most argue.

In fact, the relationship between sugar and stress and hypertension is very close. Thus, to overcome complaints of stress and hypertension, it must also be accompanied by controlling sugar intake.

Sugar or rather blood glucose, affects both these complaints directly and indirectly. An increase in blood glucose causes stress and an increase in blood pressure. Then the increase in blood pressure causes stress. Or stress causes an increase in blood pressure. Like a circle indeed. To break it control sugar intake.

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Nerve cells use glucose directly

The relationship between these three things can be explained like this. Nerve cells are the only cells that can use glucose directly, without having to wait for insulin to be released. Very different from other cells that require insulin in their intake. Because without insulin, increase or decrease blood glucose levels will have a direct effect on nerve cells.

One of the most affected is acetyl choline. Acetyl choline is the main neurotransmitter that plays an important role in the thought process. Although the action of acetyl choline is very short. But its synthesis requires a lot of pyruvate which comes from sugar. Likewise in the process of excitation or release it requires a lot of energy. So it can be said that nerve cells are the most greedy cells to use energy. This energy comes from the breakdown of sugar.

At the time of stress, it means that there is a large and sporadic release of acetyl choline. This is made possible by the availability of sugar. So that in someone with a high level of stress susceptibility there will be a high consumption of glucose as well. High acetylcholine activity, especially in the hypothalamus, can affect the release of various other neurotransmitters in the pituitary gland.

Some of these neurotransmitters can increase blood pressure. Vasopressin, epinephrine, norepinephrine are some of the neurotransmitters that have the effect of increasing blood pressure. In addition to increasing blood pressure, there are other effects, especially related to: mood or someone’s mood.

Epinephrine and norepinephrine are known to affect pancreatic function. In the pancreas both hormones stimulate the release of glucagon. Glucagon will trigger gluconeogenesis in fat tissue and liver. As a result of this gluconeogenesis there is an increase in blood glucose levels again. As a result, the activity of synthesis and release of acetyl choline increases again. Stress again!

To control stress and hypertension, you must control your glucose intake

So, to control stress and hypertension must be accompanied by controlling glucose intake. Increased blood glucose levels can also be avoided by increasing physical activity. This method will result in glucose reserves not only being used by nerve cells but also by body cells. This method also has other benefits because it will increase levels of AMP and AMP kinase.

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The increase in these two substances is the end result of the oxidation process. The increase in these two substances will trigger the autophagy process. The most unique of autophagy through physical activity pathway is mitochondrial replication. AMP and AMP kinase accumulate in the mitochondria. This triggers the lysosomes to perform autophagy. Furthermore, new, younger mitochondria will be formed. These mitochondria still have the ability to replicate. So the density of mitochondria will increase. High mitochondrial density will increase the availability of high energy as well.

In summary, it can be concluded that to prevent stress and hypertension, it is necessary to limit sugar intake, as well as regular aerobic exercise. So, there is no relationship between sugar and stress and hypertension. Greetings, hopefully it will be an inspiration for a healthy life.

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