Metabolization of fat

January 9, 2008 at 2:14 pm #8919

Participant

Hi guys,

Does fat eventually turn into glucose, during the metabolization process, and raise blood sugar? And as a diabetic, can I help prevent low overnight blood sugar by snacking on cheese or nuts before going to bed?

And one more while I’m at it, how and when does the liver release glucose into the blood stream?

Thanks,

"newly diabetic"

January 9, 2008 at 5:51 pm #80410

mith

Participant

I don’t think fat ever becomes glucose, rather it it used in place of glucose for respiration.

January 10, 2008 at 3:01 pm #80433

goldenhorseshoe

Participant

Thanks

So that does mean the energy gained from burning fat will help stop an occurence of hypoglycemia?

I guess I need to find out why hypoglycemia happens and how it works as well. So many questions…

If anyone can suggest any resources/books to bring me up to speed it would be much appreciated. (I apologize in advance for any lack of sophistication/(correctness!) in my questions, all I have is gr 11 biology)

Cheers

January 10, 2008 at 4:26 pm #80437

mith

Participant

http://www.diabetes.org/home.jsp

January 10, 2008 at 6:33 pm #80448

MrMistery

Participant

Unfortunately humans do not have the ability to turn fatty acids into glucose. Plants and bacteria can do that through a metabolic pathway named the glyoxylate cycle.
When your body is low on glucose it can adapt to use fat. The liver converts fatty acids to ketone bodies, which are then released into the bloodstream and then used by the body as fuel. However, ketone bodies are acidic. An increase in their blood concentration(as can be the case in untreated diabetus mellitus or during severe fasting) can have dramatic consequences, including ketoacid coma and even death.
Regards,
Andrew

January 10, 2008 at 10:40 pm #80464

goldenhorseshoe

Participant

Yep, when I was diagnosed 2 months ago I was reading moderate levels of ketones.. not enough to be in a coma (obviously as I wasn’t) but more than normal which I understand is 0.

What branch of biology is it that deals with the digestion, and processing of sugars/fats, glucose regulation in the body? I’d like to read some books on the subject.

January 10, 2008 at 11:08 pm #80466

mith

Participant

metabolism

January 11, 2008 at 12:09 am #80469

Darby

Participant

Or physiology.

January 11, 2008 at 1:00 pm #80498

MrMistery

Participant

or biochemistry…
Rather it is the physiology and biochemistry of metabolic processes.
But you will find what you want in a biochemistry book rather than in a physiology book. Or of course you could just buy a book on diabetus…

January 11, 2008 at 4:36 pm #80505

goldenhorseshoe

Participant

The only problem is that most diabetes educational material is more focused on the simple and practical tips to maintain proper blood-sugar levels. The science component is there, but somewhat secondary. I understand why they do that, but I’m hungry for just a little more!

Thanks for the tips, I’m going to check it out.

January 11, 2008 at 7:06 pm #80522

MrMistery

Participant

that is what i suggested a biochemistry book: in general a diabetic already knows most of the physiology part

January 25, 2008 at 4:36 am #81122

victor

Participant

actually, triglycerides can be turned into glucose in human through beta-oxidation and gluconeogenesis pathway (logically). But unfortunately, degradation of fat into acetyl-CoA through beta-oxidation occurs when the level of acetyl-CoA is low, meanwhile gluconeogenesis will be turned on when the acetyl-CoA is high. So, even though it can, but conditionally it cannot. And yes, beside turning the triglycerides into acetyl-CoA, the body also turning it into ketone bodies 🙂

January 28, 2008 at 1:01 pm #81203

MrMistery

Participant

No! You can’t turn fatty acids or the acetates that derive from them into glucose, you need the glyoxylate cycle to do that.

February 8, 2008 at 6:45 pm #81623

wheel

Participant

i dont think burning of fats can prevent hypoglycaemia. if not mistaken, hypoglycaemia occurs bcoz of a lack of sugar in our blood, causing our blood glucose level to drop below the suitable level. i guess u will feel tired and always sleepy if u hv hypoglycaemia. if u r diabetic, i think u should not jus avoid eating sweety foods. u should always exercise, because exercise consumes energy, so the energy will obtained from the burning off glucose, so u dont have to worry too much abt having high blood glucose level. consult a regular doctor. in fact, my mother is also a diabetic. good luck to u!

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