Question

In lecture 8, we have put together the pieces of the big picture, so now you know that carbohydrates metabolism and respiration If glucose is linked with fat metabolism and protein metabolism. You can see how they are all interconnected, ano how one can turn into another, If not used for energy. On the metabolic map you can see how excess glucose can be turned into fat, excess amino acids can be turned into glucose or fat, and why fat cannot be turned into glucose. So, using the metabolic map, I want you to explain the following situation:
Ms.JP is a 45 year old patient, who has been trying to lose weight with a very low fat diet. Her food intakes consist mostly of carbohydrate-rich foods, such as breads, potatoes, rice, fruit, with very little fat- she tries to avoid salad dressings, fatty foods, fried foods, and fats and oils, etc.
Recently, Ms. JP came for her checkup to a family doctor and had to do a routine blood work, which revealed that her blood triglycerides were high and her blood sugar indicated border- line diabetes! Her physician diagnosed her with Metabolic Syndrome.
MS.JP was shocked! she thought, she was eating so healthy! what is wrong with this picture? how can it be that MS.JP's serum triglycerides are high, even though she is on low-fat diet?
Explain, using the steps on the metabolic map how exactly excess carbs turned into fat in this patient. Explain step by step: what compound turns into what compound on the map.

Answer 1

Solution:

Even though MS. JP's is on a low-fat diet, she had taken a carbohydrate-rich diet which rises her triglyceride level. These carbohydrates metabolize and convert into glucose. Excess blood glucose converts into fatty acids and stored in adipose tissue. These accumulations of excessive fat lead to increase of triglyceride level through the process of lipogenesis. The insulin is unable to utilize the excess glucose results in border-line diabetes.

Metabolic Mind Map:

Carbohydrates

|

Glucose (Sugar)

| (Glycolysis)

Glycogen and fat

|

Fatty acids and glycerol

| (Beta-oxidation)

Acyl CoA

|

Triglycerides