Download Blood Glucose Regulation

Blood Glucose Homeostasis
Homeostasis
…is a set of feedback mechanisms that keep
physiological parameters of organisms within
a narrowly defined limit
Blood glucose homeostasis
• Top threshold: 110 mg/dl
• Bottom threshold: 70mg/dl
Hyperglycemia: concentrations above 110 mg/dl
Hypoglycemia: concentrations below 70 mg/dl
Importance of blood glucose
homeostasis
Brain uses 25% of blood glucose. It is dependent
on stable glucose levels!
• Hypoglycemia: leads to coma/death
• Hyperglycemia leads to long term damage of
eyes, blood vessel, organs (kidney)
Pancreas carries out Blood Glucose Homeostasis
two hormones used for regulation
1.Insulin
2.Glucagon
Pancreas regulates blood sugar
• β-cells produce Insulin
• α-cells produce Glucagon
Insulin
• Lowers blood glucose levels!!!
• Is released when blood glucose rises above
110 mg/dl
• Forces liver and muscles to take up glucose
from blood stream
• Forces liver to make glycogen (animal starch)
by linking glucose molecule together
Glucagon
• Raises blood glucose
• Is released when blood glucose falls below 70
mg/dl
• forces liver break down glycogen into glucose
and release it into the blood stream
Diabetes
• Chronic hyperglycemia
• blood glucose levels above 130 mg/dl
• Two types of diabetes
Diabetes I: no Insulin: death of β-cells from
autoimmune disease
Diabetes II: 1. Insulin Resistance: muscle,
liver do not take up glucose due to
chronic insulin overdose 2. Insulin
Exhaustion like DBI
Cross section of the pancreas
Healthy insulin
producing cells
Dead cells
Glycemic Index of Foods
Glycemic index is a measure how much certain
food spikes Insulin
Fats
proteins
Low
complex
carbs
refined
carbs
high
Getting off the Insulin
Rollercoaster
• Consumption of sweets produces large fluctuations
of blood sugar
• High highs followed by low lows produce sugar
cravings/addiction
Ins
Glu
Ins
Glu
Ins
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…………………………………………………………….
cravings cravings
Diet with low glycemic foods
• Fats/proteins: nuts, legumes, some dairy,
some meat
• Produce less steep rises and falls
• …………………………………………………………..
• …………………………………………………………..
CDC: Diabetes is the Fastest Growing
Epidemic in the US
• 25.8 million people in the United States have
diabetes– 8.3% of the population
• If current trends continue, this rate will have
grown to 30% by 2050.
• Among adults, diabetes is the leading cause of
new cases of blindness, kidney failure, and
amputations of feet and legs not related to
accidents or injury.
• Diabetes was the seventh leading cause of
death listed on U.S. death certificates in 2007.
• A person with diabetes has a shorter life
expectancy and about twice the risk of dying
on any given day
as a person of similar age without diabetes.
Nutritional Recommendation
1. Your diet should consist to 80% of low
glycemic foods.
2. Avoid products containing the “Whites”
refined sugar and refined, white flour
3. Vegetables and proteins/fat: legumes, some
dairy, some meat, oils/fats) should make up
the bulk of what you eat
4. If you are healthy fruits are ok, but less than
vegetables (know: smoothies = candy: high
glycemic, fibers are destroyed or removed)
Lifestyle Recommendations
• Exercise has a huge effect in balancing Insulin
• Maintain a healthy weight: body fat alone
raises insulin levels
What about artificial sweeteners?
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•
•
•
Artificial sweetners have no calories
They stimulate the insulin roller coaster!!!
They lead to weight gain
They lead to inflammatory events stimulating
heart disease and possible cancer
Diabetes Videos
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Overview
blood glucose animation
belly fat diabetes link
diabetes rap
childhood obesity?