Dextrose (Glucose)
Role
SGLT1 sodium-glucose cotransport enhancer + mild sweetener
Amount
- Per serving: 1.5 tsp (~6g)
- Per batch (×48): 1.5 cups
Nutrition
- ~6 g sugar per serving (~13% of 50g FDA daily limit)
- ~24 calories per serving
- At 2 tumblers/day: ~12g sugar (24% DV), ~48 calories
Safety
- ✅ MCAS safe
- ✅ Low salicylate
- Safe for everyone in household
How SGLT1 Works
Sodium-glucose cotransport (SGLT1) is a mechanism in the small intestine where glucose and sodium are absorbed together — one literally pulls the other across the intestinal wall. This is the entire basis of oral rehydration solutions (ORS) like what the WHO uses for dehydration treatment.
The WHO ORS formula uses ~13.5g glucose per liter (~33oz). This recipe uses ~6g — about half the WHO amount, which still meaningfully enhances absorption.
Why Dextrose, Not Table Sugar?
- Dextrose IS glucose — the exact molecule used in SGLT1 cotransport
- Table sugar (sucrose) works too, but must be broken down into glucose + fructose first
- Dextrose is more efficient for this specific purpose
- Also cheaper in bulk
Sugar Concern (Addressed)
At 290 lbs, 48 calories from dextrose per day is a rounding error. This is a functional ingredient doing real work (electrolyte absorption), not empty calories. An apple has ~19g sugar for comparison.
Source
Various brands, 2 lbs — ~$12, ~151 servings, reorder every ~4 weeks Search “dextrose monohydrate powder 2lb” on Amazon