THE BASICS

Foundations for a Healthier You

My Simple, Artful Path to Wellness

Nancy’s Artful Approach for Lifetime Nutrition

My Gift to You!

(And yes, I mean the info… not the car!)

Think of your body like a finely tuned machine—more complex than a car, but the analogy works. When food enters your stomach, it’s like filling a gas tank. Without fuel, your engine can’t run.

Our preferred fuel is glucose, which is absorbed from the intestines into the bloodstream and delivered to our cells. Just like a car needs fuel to run, our bodies rely on glucose to power the engine within us — the mitochondria.

Classic blue muscle car with a sleek design.
Close-up of metal pipes or exhaust components in a case.
A blue car with its hood open showing the engine.

Our engines? Tiny powerhouses called mitochondria—I like to call them little coal stoves—found in every cell, where energy is made in the form of ATP. The blood stream works like the car’s fuel line, delivering glucose to all engines. And just like gas, glucose is made of carbon—the same element found in coal, gasoline, and even burnt toast.

Tip :

"The energy from ATP occurs as electrical and biochemical reactions."

QUIRK: I know what's easiest to see here is the exhaust system. If you look carefully you'll see the fuel line of the car.

Antique cast iron stove with four circular burners and ornate legs.

Your Reserve Tank of Fuel

Just like a motorcycle has a reserve tank, your liver stores glycogen, roughly half a cup of sugar, ready for backup. When your body starts tapping this reserve, it's due to the body cells wanting more fuel whether due to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), insulin resistance or when stressed.

Your liver releases stored sugar...opposite to insulin when stressed such as having an emotionally charged situation or being sick or injured.

Tip :

Eat smaller, balanced meals spaced through the day to prevent low blood sugar and maintain steady energy.
Person adding cherry tomatoes to a fresh vegetable salad in a glass container.

Your liver releases stored sugar using hormones that act opposite to insulin:

  • Glucagon – can make you feel queasy
  • Adrenaline (epinephrine) – shakes, racing heart
  • Cortisol – warm, sweaty, and sometimes a little cranky

QUIP:
One example of how our cells work is the 'sodium/potassium' shunt. All day long these two minerals (aka elements) move back and forth over the cell members to create electrical conduction. This allows regular heart beats to occur. If either mineral is too high or too low, it will make the heart beats to become irregular. This is the main reason that medical professionals include these on lab assessments.

A rustic still life with apples, a teapot, and gourds on a table.

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