How to handle glucose spikes

Dracula (Bela Lugosi) was vanquished with a spike through his heart in the 1936 movie “Dracula’s Daughter.” And vampires are hunted and killed with homemade spikes (and a silver watch) by the soonto-be 16th president, in the 2012 movie “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.”

Turns out glucose spikes, even in folks without prediabetes or diabetes, can be just as threatening as those vampire-slaying tools. A new study in PLOS Biology found that healthy people without prediabetes or diabetes (measured by standard tests like HbA1c) are very likely to experience heart- and brain-damaging glucose spikes after eating certain meals. In fact, 80 percent of the study participants who had a breakfast of cornflakes and milk got spiked — their blood sugar reached 140 milligrams per deciliter, a sign of prediabetes.

What’s going on? The Stanford University researchers say that frequently seeing blood sugar levels in the prediabetic and diabetic range in “healthy” folks may be a sign that the current testing for prediabetes is not sensitive enough. They used continuous glucose monitors, not finger pricks or blood draws to get their readings.

We say it’s confirmation that highly processed carbs and highglycemic-index foods aren’t good for anyone.

Tip: If you get sluggish or out of sorts after eating, chances are you’ve chowed down glucosespiking foods. They’re damaging your cardiovascular system, not to mention your gums, guts and good looks. But you can drive a spike through the heart of this unholy trend! Eat only 100 percent whole grains, lots of colorful produce, lean proteins and no added sugars.

Mehmet Oz, M.D. is host of “The Dr. Oz Show,” and Mike Roizen, M.D. is Chief Wellness Officer and Chair of Wellness Institute at Cleveland Clinic. To live your healthiest, tune into “The Dr. Oz Show” or visit www.sharecare.com.