Blood Glucose Levels and Obesity U3

Chronic elevation of blood glucose levels leads to the endothelium cells taking in more glucose than normal, damaging the blood vessels. Atherosclerosis may develop leading to CVD, stroke or PVD. Small blood vessels damaged by elevated glucose levels may result in haemorrhage of blood vessels in the retina, renal failure or peripheral nerve dysfunction.

When blood glucose levels are high, the pancreatic receptors increase the secretion of insulin from the pancreas. Insulin results in the conversion of glucose into glycogen in the liver, lowering blood glucose. When blood glucose levels are low, the pancreatic receptors increase the secretion of glucagon from the pancreas. Glucagon results in the conversion of glycogen into glucose in the liver, increasing blood glucose.

The adrenal glands produce the hormone adrenaline when the body needs a quick supply of glucose. This may be during exercise or in an emergency, fight or flight, situation. It works by inhibiting insulin and stimulating glucagon.

Occurs in childhood or early teens (juvenile onset). Normal or underweight body mass. Pancreatic cells unable to produce insulin. Cells have the normal no. insulin receptors on their surfaces. They respond to the presence of insulin if given as treatment and bring about the opening of glucose channels int the cells. Regular injections of insulin and a careful diet used as treatment.

Adulthood (adult onset). Overweight or obese body mass. Pancreatic cells able to produce insulin. Cells have a decreased no. insulin receptors on their surfaces, making them less sensitive, or even resistant, to insulin. Therefore few, or no, glucose channels are opened, much glucose fails to enter the cells and normal conversion of glucose to glycogen is prevented. Exercise, weight loss, diet control and insulin in some cases are used as treatment. Can be reversed.

Used to diagnose a person with diabetes. An individual does not eat for a period of time before the test. The individual drinks a glucose solution. Their blood glucose concentrations are then measured regularly for at least 2 hours.

Diabetic if: Their blood glucose concentration starts higher. Their blood glucose concentration increases to a much higher level. Their blood glucose concentration takes longer to return to the starting concentration or does not return to the starting concentration. Glucose in a persons urine may indicate they have diabetes because the kidneys can only remove some glucose when blood glucose rises rapidly e.g., after a meal.

When an individual has excess body fat compared to lean tissue. Can impair your health and be a major risk factor for CVD as well as type 2 diabetes. Those who are obese tend to have a higher fat diet and decreased physical activity.

BMI = body mass / height² Below 20 - Underweight 20-25 - Ideal Weight 26-30 - Overweight 31-40 - Obese Over 40 - Morbidly Obese

Limit fats and free sugars. This is because fats have a high calorific value per gram and free sugars require no metabolic energy to be expended in their digestion. Increase energy expenditure through exercise. This preserves lean tissue and reduces risk factors for CVD through keeping weight under control. It also reduces stress, hypertension and improves blood lipid profiles.