Carbohydrates in Health and Disease

What two organs regulate blood glucose

pancreas and liver

How does the pancreas regulate blood glucose

secretes insulin which decreases high blood sugar and glucagon which increases low blood sugar

How does the liver regulate blood glucose

The liver stores glucose in the form of glycogen, which is broken down into glucose when we have low blood sugar

“Insulin is anabolic in response to hyperglycemia”

When blood sugar is high, insulin works to build and store more fat rather than use the fat as energy

Liver

stimulates glycogen synthesis, fatty acid synthesis

Muscle

Stimulates glycogen synthesis

Adipose (fat cells)

stimulates lipoprotein lipase resulting in uptake of fatty acids from lipoproteins

Glucagon is catabolic in response to hypoglycemia

When blood sugar is low, glucagon signals the body to break down stored energy into glucose to raise blood glucose.

Liver

activates breakdown of glycogen

Adipose

Stimulates lipolysis and release of fatty acids

Examples of how insulin resistance affects whole body

type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, NASH

Long term effects of blood sugar fluctuation

glycation of body proteins (sugar attaches to body proteins which destroys function and shape), aging