What causes the shakes when you are hungry?

We’ve all experienced that feeling of hunger at some point in our lives. Whether it’s skipping breakfast or pushing through the afternoon munchies, there comes a time when we crave food to satisfy our growling stomachs. But have you ever noticed that sometimes your body starts shaking when you’re hungry? What causes this phenomenon? Let’s dig into the science behind why hunger shakes occur and how to avoid them.

First Things First: What Are Hunger Shakes?

Hunger shakes are a common symptom of low blood sugar levels in your body. Whenever your glucose (blood sugar) drops below normal levels, your brain signals certain hormones like adrenaline and cortisol to help raise it back up again. These hormones stimulate various responses throughout the body, including releasing stored glucose from muscles and liver cells as well as converting glycogen into glucose particles.

In addition to those stress hormones, another factor contributing to hunger-related tremors is an increased level of norepinephrine production during periods of fasting or calorie restriction. Norepinephrine triggers several physiological reactions such as increasing heart rate and blood pressure while also assisting with fat breakdown for energy purposes.

As these processes take place within your system, physical symptoms can manifest themselves in many ways – one being shakes and trembling sensations often felt in hands or legs area. However, these bodily changes will eventually go away once food enters the digestive tract because this allows for more regular release of insulin which helps maintain normalcy around plasma glucose concentrations overall!

The Closer Look at How Hunger Affects Our Bodies

Let’s break down what happens inside our bodies when we get hungry:

Brain Signals Hormones

When we become hungry or fast past beyond a given period, specific regions within our brains signal hormonal secretion – particularly neuropeptide Y & Ghrelin. These molecules then move on towards areas responsible for regulating appetite & feeding behavior, including the hypothalamus, medulla oblongata, & pituitary gland.

Both these hormones directly influence several physiological pathways critical in glucose homeostasis regulation (aka maintaining blood sugar levels). They increase gastric acid secretion and decrease insulin sensitivity!

Hormones Signal Other Physical Responses

Once these hormonal signals get activated within your body during hunger periods, they range from various responses concerning glucose balance mentioned prior. These include stimulating muscle glycogen breakdown as well as cortisol release both into bloodstreams plus potassium outflow from muscles (causing contractions).

Additionally, glucagon, catecholamines, and growth hormone all come into play when blood sugar reaches low concentrations. They stimulate glycogenolysis- liberating stored energy for an emergency while creating new glucose through gluconeogenic avenues via amino acids or lactate!

Moreover – supplements containing higher amounts of caffeine may worsen shakiness symptoms since it’s a stimulant acting also on neurotransmitters like norepinephrine!

But Why Do We Experience Hunger Shakes?

Have you ever been so busy at work that you forget to eat lunch? If you answered yes to this question and are reading this article between bites of food somewhere now — then we’ve got news for you: “Hunger shakes” can occur even if we don’t miss meals entirely& sometimes comes on suddenly without clear triggers whatsoever.

A shift in non-glucose factors such as plasma lipid & Fatty Acid levels along with increased thyroid production due to not eating regularly OR diabetes-type conditions could trigger shakes too!

However – It is essential to note that hypoglycemia-related tremors- where confusion symptoms may accompany shall be treated under medical guidance since serious consequences can follow especially those who age / cardiovascular issues exist.

How Can We Prevent Getting Hunger Shakes?

Thankfully there are strategies we can take on-premise guiding us in preventing experiencing hunger shakes:

Regular Meal Times

One of the most effective ways to prevent hunger shakes is by eating regular meals. This keeps your blood sugar levels stable throughout the day, reducing the likelihood of hypoglycemia and its side effects (including shakiness). Try to eat three main meals a day with small snacks in between.

Balance Your Diet

A well-balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins & healthy fats ensures an optimal nutrient balance resulting in sustained energy through longer periods. Consuming foods high in fiber content especially slows down digestion rate- allowing gradual release into bloodstream hence maintaining optimal glucose levels accordingly.

Healthy Eating Habits

Make sure you’re not overeating when it’s time for meals; this can cause swings in blood sugar levels causing more severe dips when digestion takes place after that large meal is consumed! Couple chews thoroughly before swallowing too since digestion starts here!

Also – be mindful about alcohol intake / smoking on empty stomachs these increase potential hypoglycemia risks and less helpful bodily responses wrt glucose regulation overall as well!

Conclusion

Overall we have seen how low blood sugar or hypoglycemia results primarily leading towards tremors felt as shakiness due to physical reactions triggered while hormones signal low glucose concentration states further alertness protocols enter play alongside supplement factors worsening symptoms AS WITH excess caffeine/ischemic conditions& requires consultation with medical personnel if they persist!

Fortunately, there are practical lifestyle changes one could adopt easily guiding them against such scenarios from happening regularly – including balanced diets& regular meal timings! With all we’ve shared above considered – You should now feel capable of making smarter choices moving onward (& shake-free) amidst hunger brewing moments whether at-work situations/stay home times alike ⌛