All articles tagged with #glucose metabolism
A new study in Science Advances shows that eating with a close companion reduces blood sugar spikes and improves metabolic efficiency compared to eating alone. Researchers found that social proximity lowers the physiological 'cost' of regulating body temperature and stress responses, suggesting human physiology is inherently social.
A large observational study using ADNI data found that older adults taking omega-3 supplements (mostly fish oil) declined faster on cognitive tests (MMSE, ADAS-Cog13, CDR-SB) over about 5 years than matched nonusers. Brain imaging linked slower glucose metabolism in regions vulnerable to Alzheimer’s to this decline, with metabolism changes partly mediating the association. Because the study is observational and doses, product quality, adherence, and other factors weren’t fully tracked, causality can’t be proven and the findings may not generalize beyond a largely white, well-educated group. More research is needed, and people should consult a clinician before relying on omega-3 for cognitive protection.
Mouse studies show that chronic low-oxygen conditions at high altitude boost glucose uptake by red blood cells, lowering blood sugar and potentially reducing diabetes risk, with early work suggesting therapies that mimic this effect, though human applications are not yet established.
Scientists at Gladstone Institutes found that under low-oxygen conditions, red blood cells absorb large amounts of glucose from the bloodstream, acting as a sugar sink and lowering blood sugar, which may explain reduced diabetes risk at high altitudes; a drug mimicking this effect reversed diabetes in mice, suggesting a new therapeutic approach.
A fitness trainer emphasizes the importance of building and maintaining muscle mass as a natural and effective way to regulate blood sugar and prevent or manage diabetes, especially in India where the disease is prevalent. Muscle tissue can absorb glucose even without insulin, making strength training and a protein-rich diet crucial components in combating diabetes. The article highlights the need for increased physical activity and balanced nutrition to address the rising diabetes epidemic.
A study published in eBioMedicine found that late eating is linked to impaired glucose metabolism, influenced by both circadian timing and genetic factors, which may increase the risk of diabetes and metabolic disorders.
Researchers from the Human Brain Project have identified the origin of characteristic brain waves associated with disorders of consciousness (DoC) by coupling measurements of brain waves with glucose usage in specific brain areas. The study reveals the role of subcortical areas in driving cortical activity associated with consciousness and highlights the importance of understanding the electro-metabolism of the brain for better diagnosis and treatment of DoC.
Scientists at Klick Labs have developed a new analytical method that can detect impaired glucose homeostasis (IGH), a precursor to prediabetes, by analyzing data from continuous glucose monitors. This technique identified 20% of initially healthy study participants as having glucose metabolism similar to prediabetes, potentially revolutionizing early detection and management of diabetes. The findings highlight the importance of early intervention to prevent progression to full diabetes and could have a significant impact on the lives of millions worldwide.
Researchers at the Medical University of Vienna have developed a new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) approach that can map brain glucose metabolism without the need for radioactive substances. The procedure uses a harmless glucose solution and generates reliable results that can be used with all common MRI scanners. The study has enhanced current diagnostic procedures for mapping brain glucose metabolism and has a broad range of potential applications in the diagnosis of metabolic disorders. Further studies are needed to confirm the results before the new method can be deployed for the benefit of patients.
Researchers have found that neurons metabolize glucose themselves and that glucose metabolism is crucial for proper neuronal function. The study used induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC’s) to generate human neurons and engineered neurons in mice to lack key proteins for glucose import and metabolism. The researchers found that neurons use other energy sources, such as a related sugar molecule, galactose, which was less efficient than glucose as an energy source for the neurons. Understanding how glucose is metabolized for energy in the brain could pave the way for new treatments for conditions linked to glucose uptake, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD).
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes and University of California, San Francisco have discovered that neurons are capable of taking up glucose and processing it into smaller metabolites, which could lead to a better understanding of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The findings could contribute to the development of new therapeutic approaches and help understand how to maintain brain health as it ages. The study also showed that neurons rely on glycolysis for normal functioning and use other energy sources, such as galactose, when glucose is not available.
Neurons in the brain directly metabolize glucose through glycolysis to function normally, contrary to previous beliefs that glial cells metabolized the sugar and indirectly fuel neurons. The findings could provide insights into the development of new therapeutic approaches for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, where the brain’s uptake of glucose decreases in the early stages of the diseases. The study also showed that neurons rely on glycolysis for normal functioning and that they use other energy sources, such as galactose, when glucose is not available, but it is not as efficient.