On an empty stomach means on an empty (empty) stomach. This adverb is most often heard when talking about taking medications, the rules for taking tests, or performing other medical procedures (for example, FGS of the stomach).
What is this condition?
What is fasting? This is the state of the body, achieved after abstinence from eating for at least 8 hours, and preferably 12. Usually they talk about the state on an empty stomach in the morning after a night's sleep in the interval up to 10 in the morning. It is at this time that all procedures are prescribed that require the patient to be on an empty stomach. Dinner should then be no later than seven or eight o'clock in the evening.
If you do not eat for longer - up to 12-13 hours, then they already talk about a different state - "on an empty stomach".
Why should I be tested on an empty stomach?
What is donating blood on an empty stomach, why is it important?
It is always recommended to donate blood for tests on an empty stomach. But is it so important for all analyzes?
After eating, it enters the stomach and intestines, digested, split substances are absorbed into the blood. are being launchedmetabolic reactions associated with providing cells with energy and building substances, storing "surplus" of these elements, hormones are released into the blood that regulate these processes. Thus, a blood test during this period will show the body's work on the use of food substances, and not the background state. Only after 8-12 hours after eating, all reactions associated with digestion will end. It is this state that is called "fasting" - the ideal time to study the state of the body.
Peculiarities of taking tests
A fasting blood test is carried out for the following indicators.
- Glucose.
- Blood lipid profile, including cholesterol, is best measured after a 12-hour fast.
- Hormones and antibodies to various pathogens - wait 6 hours after eating.
- C-peptide and insulin are taken strictly on an empty stomach until 10 am.
A number of indicators are best examined in the morning - before 10 o'clock, for example, some hormones, blood iron.
In addition, some doctors believe that eating spicy, s alty, sugary foods can increase the level of white blood cells. Therefore, before donating blood, it is not recommended to eat such products. However, a light breakfast before donating blood for a general analysis will not affect the result. You can eat porridge without sugar and butter, an apple, drink tea without sugar. Breakfast must be finished one hour before blood donation.
But the analysis for genetic polymorphisms can be taken throughout the day, regardless of meals.
FGS and FGDS are done on an empty stomach. The doctor may even prescribe a special diet. Before the procedure itself, you can not even use chewing gum, as chewing it will provoke the release of mucus, which will interfere with the study.
Peculiarities of taking medications
What is taking medicine on an empty stomach and why is it important? Any medicinal substance, once in the digestive tract, is absorbed in the small intestine and enters the bloodstream. The more complete the absorption, the more effective the drug intake. Various factors can affect the absorption process, including the presence of other substances in the gut. For example, coffee and tea interfere with the absorption of iron and calcium. In addition, some substances can increase the negative side effects of drugs. For example, the combined use of antibiotics or paracetamol with alcohol can lead to severe poisoning due to the development of liver failure. Therefore, it is better to drink all medicines with non-carbonated non-mineral water, in no case with milk, tea, coffee or juices.
Of course, there are exceptions. For example, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Ketanov, Analgin, Voltaren, Indomethacin) and steroid hormones (Prednisolone, Dexamethasone) are recommended to drink milk, which protects the gastric mucosa from the damaging effects of these groups of drugs. The same drugs in the enteric coating no longer affect the gastric mucosa,therefore milk protection is no longer needed.
Such subtleties are difficult to keep in mind, especially if the medication is irregular. Therefore, it is better not to take risks and take all medicines on an empty stomach and drink plain clean water at room temperature.
When does a state occur?
You should not eat for 8 hours, preferably 12 hours, but no more.
Coffee and tea (even without sugar), juice, milk, carbonated drinks, compote, jelly, mineral water are also food! Milk, juice, compotes and jelly contain nutrients, coffee and tea - substances that affect different systems of our body, mineral water - micro and macro elements. Anything that is not pure water at room temperature is perceived by the body as food and affects the absorption of other substances, as well as blood counts.
Don't abuse the water either. If you drink a lot of water in the morning, your blood volume will increase, which will affect the test results. At home, you can drink a glass of water and take a bottle with you. Doctors even recommend drinking small amounts of water before donating blood, especially for pregnant women, because due to the peculiarities of their hormonal status, their blood thickens, which complicates the process of taking it.
What not to do?
1. Drink anti-inflammatory nonsteroidal drugs.
2. Drink coffee.
3. Drink alcohol.
4. Chewing gum.
5. Go to bed.
6. Train hard.
7. commitshopping.
8. Drink citrus juice.
Benefits and harms
What is it - on an empty stomach a glass of water or a spoonful of honey, is it good or bad?
Folk and official medicine suggest starting your morning with a glass of clean cold water. This will allow the body to quickly wake up, start the work of all organs and systems. Drink water half an hour before meals. There is no harm or contraindications.
But the rest of the advice to take something on an empty stomach should be followed with caution. They are not suitable for everyone.
Honey on an empty stomach - benefits and harms?
A common tip is to take a spoonful of honey on an empty stomach. Honey is 80% fructose and glucose. In this, it is similar to regular sugar, which is 100% sucrose, a compound of glucose and fructose. Not everyone can take pure carbohydrates on an empty stomach. Taking honey will lead to an increase in blood sugar, which, of course, will give strength to a person, but will be dangerous for diabetics.
Often take honey diluted in water on an empty stomach. It is important to know here that honey diluted in cold water and taken half an hour before meals will increase the acidity in the stomach. Diluted in hot (not higher than 60 ° C) water and taken immediately before meals, acidity will not be affected.
That is why on an empty stomach, honey should be taken with caution, given your condition and the effects of honey itself on the body.
