Normal Glucose Homeostasis

  • John E. Gerich
  • Steven D. Wittlin
  • Christian Meyer
Chapter

Abstract

Plasma glucose values are normally maintained within a relatively narrow range throughout the day (70–170 mg/dl) despite wide fluctuations in the delivery (e.g. meals) and removal (e.g. exercise) of glucose from the circulation. Teleologically, this is consistent with the fact that hyperglycemia is to be avoided because of its potential to cause macro- and microvascular complications.1,2 Conversely, this is also consistent with the fact that hypoglycemia is to be avoided because it can injure the brain. Limitations in the availability of alternate fuels (e.g. ketone bodies) or in their transport across the blood brain barrier (e.g. free fatty acids [FFA]) make glucose the usual source of energy for the brain. After prolonged fasting, however, because of an increase in their circulating concentration, ketone bodies may be used by the brain.3

Keywords

Plasma Glucose Level Plasma Glucose Concentration Glucose Release Mixed Meal Meal Ingestion 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media New York 2004

Authors and Affiliations

  • John E. Gerich
  • Steven D. Wittlin
  • Christian Meyer

There are no affiliations available

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