NTA Functional Nutrition & Metabolic Health Flashcards

Why is glycemic load (GL) often considered more practical than glycemic index (GI) for meal planning?

Answer: GL accounts for both the GI and the amount of carbohydrate in a typical serving

GL multiplies a food's GI by its carbohydrate per serving, reflecting real-world blood sugar impact.

When liver and muscle glycogen stores are full, what happens to excess dietary glucose?

Answer: It is converted to triglycerides through de novo lipogenesis

The liver converts surplus glucose into fatty acids and triglycerides for storage in adipose tissue.

A client on a refined, processed diet reports muscle cramps, poor sleep, and worsening insulin resistance. Which mineral deficiency best fits this picture?

Answer: Magnesium

Magnesium is a cofactor in hundreds of enzymes including insulin signaling and muscle relaxation, and refining strips it from foods.

When acidic chyme enters the duodenum, which hormone signals the pancreas to release bicarbonate?

Answer: Secretin

Secretin responds to low duodenal pH and stimulates pancreatic bicarbonate to neutralize chyme.

Using the common NTA hydration guideline, how much water should a 180-pound client aim to drink daily as a baseline?

Answer: 90 ounces

The guideline is half of body weight in pounds expressed as ounces of water, so 180 lb equals 90 oz.

During a blood sugar crash, which gland releases epinephrine to rapidly raise blood glucose?

Answer: Adrenal medulla

The adrenal medulla secretes epinephrine, which triggers glycogen breakdown during hypoglycemia.

Which nutrient is required to transport long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria for beta-oxidation?

Answer: L-carnitine

L-carnitine shuttles long-chain fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane via the carnitine shuttle.