A short answer to your question:

When the body goes more than four hours without food, the liver starts (over-)producing a form of sugar (glycogen) in order to compensate.

This liver activity also explains the "dawn-sugar high" and - few people know this - the nightly wake-up times between 1 and 3pm, when the liver is most active.

A long answer:

Individuals of genetic HLA-DQ2 or DQ8 background (on average 40% North-Americans, close to 90% of some Hispanics and Indigenous peoples) are NOT wired to digest grains.

Eating grain carbohydrates (especially those containing gluten: wheat, barley, rye, spelt, triticale and, due to contamination, also oats) prompts an inflammation in the duodenum (1st section of small intestines). Signs: bloating, tiredness, brain fog, cravings, etc.

The duodenum controls

- food release from the stomach to the small intestines for digestion;

- bicarbonate enzyme and insulin release from the pancreas;

- gallbladder activity and bile release (cues back to the liver and its glycogen production);

- produces vitamin K, which then gets stored in the pancreas, but only if the pancreas is not also inflamed by imbalanced enzyme production and hyper- or hypoinsulinism.

If the duodenum is inflamed, mineral and nutrient absorption are affected, as is vitamin K production. Hence the mineral deficiencies of diabetics, celiacs, and other people experiencing intestinal problems (tendon, muscle and bone issues, cravings!!).

Some other indicators:

- The duodenum is connected (ligament of Treitz) to the diaphragm. Brittle, tight ligaments may be behind your GERDs, heart burn, etc.

- The duodenum also is attached to the anterior lumbar spine (low back pain - often right-sided SI subluxations).

In summary:

When the duodenum is inflamed it no longer can fulfill its regulating role - particularly in those of HLA-DQ2 and DQ8 type.

Solution:

Withdraw all grain-carbohydrates. Fresh, green and colorful, non-starchy vegetables provide more than enough of the carbs the body needs. Add to that light proteins and omega-3s, and your blood sugar rollercoaster should disappear.

Rivkah Roth DO DNM

author of "At Risk? Avoid Diabetes by Recognizing Early Risk - A Natural Medicine View" and the DIABETES-Series Little Books.

Twitter: avoidiabetes www.avoidiabetes.com

Info pages: www.squidoo.com/naturalmedicinetopics

www.avoidiabetes/books.html

Book Launch of

"At Risk?" by Rivkah Roth DO DNM

in time for World Diabetes Day - November 14, 2008

We proudly announce that the Natural Medicine Centre kicks off its Early Diabetes Risk Recognition and Avoidance Campaign with the publich launch of the newest book by Rivkah Roth.

http://www.avoidiabetes.com/WDD.html

Recognized early, diabetes and its complications are largely avoidable! This message needs to be heard and not just by the man with the beer-belly and the woman who craves carbohydrates.

"At Risk?" shows how to recognize and avoid the initial symptoms that arise eight to fourteen years prior to a medical diagnosis of diabetes. "At Risk?" identifies over fifty health conditions linked to increased risk of diabetes.

Help us recognize World Diabetes Day 2008. Take a powerful step towards avoiding Diabetes. Change your life and that of your family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances.

Promote health! Help raise awareness on how to avoid diabetes. Move "At Risk?" up the bestseller charts by ordering your copies during a two-day period at

In return we would like to offer you these full-size Illustrations and Charts as bonus downloads.

BONUS #1:

Mini Diabetes Risk Questionnaire

BONUS #2:

Family Health Tree Chart

BONUS #3:

Summary Chart "Before Facts"

Summary Chart "After Facts"

Summary Chart "Complications"

BONUS #4:

Intestinal Inflammation Chart

Toxic Trigger Loop Chart

BONUS #5:

Carbohydrate Addiction Chart

Food/Energy Processes Chart

BONUS #6:

Surprise Bonuses

BONUS #7:

Opportunity to sign up for our complimentary "Weekly Public e-mail Health Tip" or our "Bi-Weekly Health-Professional e-mail Tip"

This is how it works:

1) Order your copy or copies of "At Risk?" between Wednesday, November 12, 2008 - 6pm EST and Friday, November 14, 2008 - 11pm EST at http://www.avoidiabetes.com/WDD.html and note down your purchase confirmation number.

2) Return to our website http://www.avoidiabetes.com/bonus.html, sign in and enter your purchase confirmation number where prompted.

3) You will immediately be given the pdf-download links for the Mini Diabetes Risk Questionnaire and all the above Charts and Bonuses.

Print them out any size you like. Laminate them, frame them, display them in your home or give them away to patients and friends.

Take pride in making a difference in your life and that of your friends! Three billion people are at risk of developing diabetes later in life. Help us reduce these numbers quickly.

Please pass on this invitation to your friends and anyone who might be interested.

The Countdown has started. Soon to become available the long-awaited

and these 1-topic, point-form, easy to read DIABETES-Series Little Books:

- Risk of Diabetes

- Low-Carb for Diabetes

- Gluten-free & Diabetes

- Minerals for Diabetes

- Teas for Diabetes

In production: Spices for Diabetes

To read excerpts and find order information details please go to http://www.avoidiabetes.com