Concerns About Glucose Powder Intake for Nutritional Balance

Concerns about glucose powder intake?

Hello, Nutritionist: Due to a low BMI, my TDEE is approximately 2500-2600 calories.
I plan to achieve a caloric surplus by consuming around 3000 calories per day.
I have had several quantitative urine tests that returned positive results, so I have been regularly monitoring urine protein levels for the past two years (PCR/ACR) which have been normal, as well as eGFR and creatinine levels.
I am concerned about the potential risk of excessive protein intake, and I plan to consume about 1.2-1.3g/kg/day.
I intend to use glucose powder to increase my caloric intake while keeping my protein intake within the desired range.
I would like to ask the nutritionist: 1.
If I use glucose powder as a caloric supplement (spreading 160g throughout the day), will it have any adverse effects on my body or any potential risks? 2.
When using the Food and Drug Administration's food nutrition composition database for ingredient analysis, are there any specific aspects or blind spots I should be aware of? Reference: I perform strength training four days a week, with each session lasting 1.5-2 hours at moderate to high intensity.
Thank you!

mona, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2020/05/20

Dr. Cai Xiuwen reply Nutrition

Hello, regarding your positive quantitative urine test, I wonder if you have discussed with your physician the causes of protein in urine.
Understanding the reasons is quite important as it relates to whether kidney function will continue to be affected and whether it is appropriate to engage in high-protein diets and strength training in the future.
Based on the information you provided, you hope to increase your caloric intake to 3000 calories.
Have you assessed how many calories you are currently consuming? Are you balancing the intake of the six major food groups? If your current dietary pattern is unbalanced, merely supplementing with simple sugars poses a higher health risk.
Excessive intake of "sugar" alone not only fails to promote muscle gain but may also lead to obesity, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, and can accelerate cellular aging.
According to the recommendations from the Ministry of Health and Welfare's National Health Administration, daily sugar intake should not exceed 10% of total caloric intake.
This means that if your recommended caloric intake is 3000 calories, your limit for simple sugars should not exceed 75 grams.
After accounting for the simple sugars in your fruits, it is advisable that your intake of simple sugars should not exceed 45 grams.
The body consumes many vitamins and minerals when digesting and absorbing calories and synthesizing cells, so if you want to increase caloric intake, it should be done through whole foods.
This way, in addition to calories, you can also obtain other micronutrients and phytochemicals.
The food nutrition composition database analyzes the nutritional content per 100 grams of ingredients, and it is important to consider the characteristics of the original ingredients, such as dried radish versus fresh radish; the raw weight of 100 grams of tapioca pearls and the edible portion can vary significantly.
When consulting the food nutrition composition database, you should also understand the approximate portion sizes of the foods you typically consume, and additionally, the nutrients from any seasonings added during cooking should also be calculated.
Increasing muscle mass through strength training is beneficial for health; however, most people only focus on whether protein intake is sufficient, neglecting the balance of other nutrients and their importance to health.
It is recommended that you consult with a professional physician and nutritionist for regular and gradual assessments and discussions regarding your fitness plan, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of your health status.
Wishing you peace and health.
This message is from Dietitian Tsai Hsiu-Wen at Nantou Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare.

Reply Date: 2020/05/20

More Info

When considering the intake of glucose powder as a means to achieve a caloric surplus, especially in the context of a low BMI and regular high-intensity training, there are several important factors to consider.

1. Potential Risks of Glucose Powder Intake
Using glucose powder to increase caloric intake can have both benefits and drawbacks. While glucose can provide a quick source of energy, especially useful for athletes or those engaging in intense workouts, excessive consumption can lead to several health concerns:
- Blood Sugar Spikes: Glucose has a high glycemic index (GI), meaning it can cause rapid spikes in blood sugar levels. For individuals with normal insulin sensitivity, this might not be a significant issue, but for those with any metabolic concerns, it could lead to insulin resistance over time.

- Weight Gain: While you are aiming for a caloric surplus to gain weight, relying heavily on glucose powder can lead to an increase in body fat rather than lean muscle mass. This is particularly true if the additional calories are not balanced with adequate protein and healthy fats.

- Nutrient Deficiency: Relying on glucose powder for caloric intake may lead to a lack of essential nutrients. Whole foods provide not only calories but also vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial compounds that glucose powder lacks. A diet overly reliant on simple sugars can lead to deficiencies in these critical nutrients.

- Impact on Kidney Health: Given your history of positive urine tests and the need for regular monitoring of protein levels, it’s crucial to consider how high sugar intake might affect your kidneys. While glucose itself is not directly harmful to kidney function, excessive sugar can lead to obesity and diabetes, both of which are risk factors for kidney disease.

2. Nutritional Analysis and Considerations
When analyzing the nutritional content of your diet, especially if you are using a food database, there are several points to keep in mind:
- Portion Sizes: Ensure that you are accurately measuring the portion sizes of both the glucose powder and other foods you consume. The nutritional values in databases are typically based on 100g servings, which may not reflect your actual intake.

- Balanced Diet: While you may be focusing on increasing caloric intake, it’s essential to maintain a balanced diet that includes a variety of food groups. This includes proteins, healthy fats, and fiber-rich carbohydrates. Consider integrating whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds into your diet.

- Protein Intake: You mentioned a target protein intake of 1.2-1.3g/kg/day. Ensure that your protein sources are varied and include both animal and plant-based options to provide a complete amino acid profile. This is crucial for muscle repair and growth, especially given your training regimen.

- Monitoring and Adjustment: Regularly monitor your body’s response to dietary changes. This includes tracking your weight, energy levels, and any changes in your health markers. If you notice any adverse effects, consider consulting with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian to adjust your dietary plan accordingly.

Conclusion
In summary, while glucose powder can be a useful tool for increasing caloric intake, it should not be the sole source of calories in your diet. It is vital to maintain a balanced approach that includes a variety of nutrients to support overall health and fitness goals. Regular monitoring of your health markers, especially given your history of urine tests and kidney function, is essential. Consulting with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian can provide personalized guidance tailored to your specific needs and health status.

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