Module 05: Blood Sugar Regulation

Question 1

State the big ideas for blood sugar regulation.

Answer 1

BIG IDEA #1
The primary organs that regulate blood sugar are:
-Pancreas
-Liver
-Adrenal Glands

BIG IDEA #2
NEVER before in the history of mankind, have we had an emergency need to LOWER blood sugar.

BIG IDEA #3
Americans are inundating their bodies with sugar and refined carbohydrates.

BIG IDEA #4
Reducing insulin surges through adjusting macronutrient ratios will help the body utilize fats and ketones for energy rather than glucose.

Question 2

Describe interaction of Pancreas, Liver, and Adrenals for blood sugar regulation.

Answer 2

PANCREAS:
Produces Insulin to reduce high BS level.
Produces Glucagon to increase low BS level.

LIVER:
Stores Glucose as Glycogen (Glycogenesis).
Produces Glucose from stored Glycogen (Glycogenolysis).
Makes Glucose from Protein (Gluconeogenesis).
Produces Ketones from Fats (substitute for Glucose).

ADRENALS:
Release Cortisol when BS is low (assisting Glucagon).
Release Adrenaline to stimulate liver to produce Glucose.
Release Noradrenaline to increase blood flow to muscles and heart.

Question 3

Know the processes of Gluconeogenesis, Glycogenolysis, and Glycogenesis.

Answer 3

GLUCONEOGENESIS: The process that generates glucose from amino acids.

GLYCOGENOLYSIS: The breakdown of glycogen to glucose.

GLYCOGENESIS: The formation of glycogen from glucose.

Question 4

Describe the key blood sugar hormones: Insulin, Glucagon, Cortisol, and Epinephrine.

Answer 4

INSULIN:

• Increases the uptake of glucose into our cells.
• Increases the amount of stored glycogen.
• Increases fatty acid synthesis from excessive carbohydrates.
• Decreases fat break down.

GLUCAGON:

• Promotes the conversion of liver glycogen to glucose.
• Promotes fat break down.
• Promotes gluconeogenesis.

CORTISOL:

• Increases muscle protein break down into amino acids for the formation of glucose through gluconeogenesis.
• Increases glucose through glycogenolysis of glycogen.
• Increases fat breakdown and mobilization from fat tissue.
• Triggers gluconeogenesis.

EPINEPHRINE:

• Increases glycogen breakdown in the liver and muscles.
• Increases liver glycogen to be released into the blood as glucose.
• Increases fat breakdown and mobilization from fat tissue.
• Increases heart rate; blood flow; dilates airways by triggering a sympathetic response in the ANS.

Question 5

Describe Hypoglycemia, Insulin Resistance, and Type 1 & 2 Diabetes.

Answer 5

HYPOGLYCEMIA:
-Also known as low blood sugar, is when blood sugar level decreases to below normal.

INSULIN RESISTANCE:
-A state in which insulin receptor sites become unresponsive to the binding of insulin.

TYPE 1 & 2 DIABETES:

• Type 1: Insulin Dependent Diabetes; loses ability to make Insulin caused by the destruction of Beta Cells in the Pancreas.
• Type 2: Non-Insulin Dependant Diabetes; elevated levels of blood sugar because of insulin resistance.

Question 6

Explain the damage caused to our bodies by Glycation, and the blood sugar impacts of a diet high in refined carbohydrates and low in fat and proteins.

Answer 6

Diets that are high in carbohydrates and low in fats and proteins result in elevated BS levels. Chronic elevated blood sugar eventually leads to a process of glycation of proteins. This process makes proteins “sticky” with blood glucose and renders them useless and ineffective, interfering with Insulin function causing Insulin Resistance. Advance Glycation End-products (AGE’s) are Proteins that have been damaged by sugar. Surfaces of arteries, organ tissues, joints, cell membranes, all become hardened by glycation.

Question 7

Describe how to evaluate a Sugar Burning Metabolizer vs. a Fat Burning Metabolizer.

Answer 7

SUGAR BURNING METABOLIZER:

• Cannot effectively access STORED fat for energy.
• Cannot effectively access DIETARY fat for energy.
• Depends on a quick burning source of energy (glucose).
• Will burn through Glycogen stores fairly quickly during exercise.

FAT BURNING METABOLIZER:

• Burn STORED fat for energy throughout the day.
• Able to effectively oxidize DIETARY fat for energy.
• Have plenty of energy on hand.
• Can rely on fat during exercise sparing Glycogen for when needed.
• Have little change in energy levels after meals.
• Have sustained energy between meals.

Question 8

Locate and describe each test point for Blood Sugar Regulation.

Answer 8

SUGAR HANDING: ADRENALS
RAGLAND’S TEST: BP supine, BP after standing up.
PARADOXICAL PUPILLARY RESPONSE: Observe pupil response
CHAPMAN REFLEX - ADRENALS: (1”->, 2”S Umbilicus)
POSTERIOR ILIUM / SHORT LEG - ADRENALS: Compare leg length.
INGUINAL LIGAMENT TENDERNESS - ADRENALS: (ASIS-Pubic Bone).

SUGAR HANDLING: LIVER & PANCREAS
CHAPMAN REFLEX - PANCREAS: (7TH L)
RIGHT THENAR PAD TENDERNESS: PANCREAS: Indicator is sharp pain.
LIVER: 3rd Rib (R)