- The food we eat passes through a nine-meter-long tube via the stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and anus before being expelled as waste.
- During the passage through the tube, absorbed nutrients move to the liver, where they are all converted into glucose.
- Glucose is transported to muscle cells through the bloodstream.
- However, glucose cannot enter cells on its own; a door called insulin needs to be opened for this purpose.
- Insulin is secreted from the pancreas every time we consume food.
- The liver converts nutrients absorbed from food into glucose and supplies it to cells through insulin.
- However, excessive food intake can impair insulin function.
- As a result, cells do not receive enough glucose and it remains in the bloodstream.
- This phenomenon is called insulin resistance.
- Due to insulin resistance, glucose remains in the bloodstream even after meals.
- Excessive glucose can damage blood vessels.
- Vascular damage can lead to blood clot formation, prompting the body to initiate inflammation for healing.
- The liver can store excess glucose as fat, leading to fatty liver.
- This is known as fatty liver.
- Fatty liver refers to a condition where liver cells’ storage spaces are filled with fat.
- For the liver to function properly, it should not be filled with fat.
- Fatty liver increases the risk of liver cancer.
- Excessive glucose can lead to fat accumulation in the liver.
- Excess glucose is excreted in the urine.
- If glucose is excreted in the urine, it may indicate diabetes.
- Diabetic patients produce sufficient insulin from the pancreas, but cannot utilize glucose properly due to insulin resistance.
- When efficiency in absorbing glucose into cells is reduced due to insulin resistance, insulin injections are necessary.
- Excessive glucose can alter the characteristics of blood.
- This can lead to high blood pressure.
- High blood pressure means the heart works harder to regulate blood pressure.
- When blood pressure increases, hypertension occurs.
- Hypertension due to increased blood pressure can stress the kidneys.
- Kidneys regulate blood pressure, but their function can be impaired due to hypertension.
- Once kidneys are damaged, they cannot recover.
- Individuals suffering from hypertension or diabetes for a long time may develop chronic kidney disease.
- Diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia often occur together, known as metabolic syndrome.
- Currently, there is no direct treatment for metabolic syndrome.
- Hospitals provide treatment to alleviate symptoms.
- Hypertension medications are used to lower blood pressure.
- Diabetes medications supplement insulin.
- Hyperlipidemia medications lower cholesterol levels.
- These medications help alleviate symptoms.
- Managing metabolic syndrome involves light exercise and maintaining fasting periods.