The food we eat can be divided into three basic groups:
In different parts of the intestine these groups of food get broken down or digested. Sugar or glucose is absorbed from the intestine into blood. The blood carries glucose around the body to cells. Using specialized proteins called glucose transporters, cells can then pull in glucose from the blood. Once inside the cell, glucose can be "burnt" to release energy.
Because cells are very dependent on glucose for energy, the body tries to maintain blood sugar levels within a normal range using the hormone insulin. When we don't eat enough food, the liver and kidneys try to maintain blood sugar levels by breaking down stored starch or protein and converting them into glucose.
After a meal, blood sugar levels usually rise and excess glucose gets deposited in fat and muscle cells. This storage is made possible because of the work of glucose transport proteins, activated by insulin.
Although insulin helps to activate glucose transporters to pull in blood sugar, this process can be impaired. When this happens, cells become less sensitive to the effects of insulin — a condition called insulin resistance. The development of insulin resistance is one of the earliest signs of the beginning of diabetes. In turn, having diabetes greatly increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
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Copyright © 2001 - TreatmentUpdate. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Editor, The Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange, 555 Richmond St. West, Suite 505, Box 1104, Toronto, ON, M5V 3B1 • Phone: 416-203-7122 • Toll Free: 1-800-263-1638 • Fax: 416-203-8284 http://www.catie.ca.
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