Blood Sugar Regulation & Metabolic Balance Flashcards

According to standard clinical guidelines, a fasting blood glucose level of 100–125 mg/dL is classified as:

Answer: Prediabetes (impaired fasting glucose)

The American Diabetes Association classifies fasting blood glucose between 100–125 mg/dL as prediabetes (impaired fasting glucose), indicating elevated blood sugar that has not yet reached the diabetic diagnostic threshold of ≥126 mg/dL.

On a ketogenic or very-low-carbohydrate diet, the brain and body primarily use which fuel source?

Answer: Ketone bodies derived from fatty acid oxidation in the liver

In the absence of adequate carbohydrates, the liver oxidizes fatty acids and produces ketone bodies (acetoacetate, beta-hydroxybutyrate, acetone) that serve as an alternative fuel for the brain and other tissues.

Poor sleep quality primarily impairs blood sugar regulation by:

Answer: Elevating cortisol and growth hormone levels, increasing insulin resistance

Sleep deprivation elevates cortisol and growth hormone — both counter-regulatory hormones — which increase insulin resistance and can result in impaired glucose tolerance the following day.

Aerobic exercise acutely improves blood glucose regulation primarily by:

Answer: Increasing insulin-independent glucose uptake by contracting muscles via GLUT4 translocation

During aerobic exercise, contracting muscles can take up glucose independently of insulin through GLUT4 transporter translocation to the cell surface, which lowers blood glucose even without increased insulin secretion.

Which nutritional intervention most directly targets improving insulin sensitivity in clients with insulin resistance?

Answer: Reducing refined carbohydrates, increasing dietary fiber, and ensuring adequate magnesium and chromium

Reducing refined carbohydrates lowers overall insulin demand, increased fiber slows glucose absorption, and micronutrients such as magnesium and chromium directly support insulin receptor function and glucose tolerance factor activity.

In the NTP framework, blood sugar dysregulation is considered a foundational imbalance that can contribute to:

Answer: A wide range of conditions including hormonal imbalances, mood disorders, energy dysregulation, and chronic inflammation

In the NTP model, blood sugar dysregulation is a foundational dysfunction that cascades into hormonal imbalances, mood disorders (due to fluctuating brain glucose), fatigue, and chronic inflammation, affecting virtually every body system.

The Nutritional Therapy Practitioner approach to blood sugar regulation primarily emphasizes:

Answer: Addressing diet quality, meal timing, stress management, and micronutrient repletion

The NTP approach takes a holistic view addressing dietary quality (whole foods with adequate protein and fat), meal timing, stress management to control cortisol, and micronutrient support for optimal insulin function.