NTP Blood Sugar Regulation & Metabolic Balance

Question 1

What hormone is primarily responsible for lowering blood glucose levels after a meal?

Accepted Answer

Insulin

Answer

Insulin is secreted by pancreatic beta cells in response to rising blood glucose and facilitates cellular uptake of glucose, thereby lowering blood sugar levels.

Question 2

What is the primary storage form of glucose in the liver and muscle tissue?

Accepted Answer

Glycogen

Answer

Glycogen is a branched polysaccharide that serves as the stored form of glucose — in the liver for blood sugar maintenance and in muscles for local energy use.

Question 3

The glycemic index (GI) of a food measures:

Accepted Answer

How quickly a food raises blood glucose compared to pure glucose

Answer

The GI ranks foods on a 0–100 scale based on how rapidly they raise blood glucose compared to pure glucose, which serves as the reference value of 100.

Question 4

Insulin resistance is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Reduced cellular responsiveness to insulin's signal

Answer

Insulin resistance occurs when cells in muscle, fat, and liver become less responsive to insulin's signal, requiring the pancreas to produce more insulin to maintain normal blood glucose levels.

Question 5

Which macronutrient has the most significant direct impact on postprandial (after-meal) blood glucose levels?

Accepted Answer

Carbohydrates

Answer

Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose during digestion and are the primary macronutrient that directly and rapidly raises blood glucose levels after a meal.

(NTP) Nutritional Therapy Practitioner Practice Test

(NTP) Nutritional Therapy Practitioner Practice Test

NTP Blood Sugar Regulation & Metabolic Balance