Conversion Mechanism

7. Conversion Mechanism

The sugar that the body cannot use as energy when it has been acted upon by insulin will be converted to glycogen, and is stored in the liver and muscles; or what cannot be stored as glycogen will be converted to fat.

In normal body function, there is a conversion mechanism that protects us against the rapid drop of blood sugar. The adrenal glands secrete a hormone (epinephrine) that begins the change process of glycogen back to glucose. This same response is brought into play when fear, anger or expenditure of energy requires lots of fuel, so glycogen from the liver and muscles is immediately turned into glucose.

If the glycogen conversion mechanism is not working well, the body has a backup mechanism. This consists of the conversion of amino acids and triglycerides into a fuel. Amino acids are capable of being converted to glucose but do so at the expense of tissue repair and making of enzymes, hormones and other essential processes which require amino acids. Since it is a kind of emergency assistance, you can easily imagine how the body suffers if this must take place on a continual basis.

Carbohydrates are converted to glucose in the gastrointestinal tract and absorbed into the bloodstream where they then pass on to the liver. If there is too much glucose, the liver will convert it to glycogen and store it until needed. When blood glucose levels drop, a hormone from the adrenals (epinephrine) facilitates the conversion back to glucose.

Many of these mechanisms are dependent upon hormones, and particularly upon adrenal hormones. Many physicians are convinced that the single most common cause of hypoglycemia is a poorly functioning adrenal system,. However, we must also ask, “What caused the adrenal system to go amuck?” It is the same reason that caused the hypoglycemia and other symptoms. That is, general enervation and toxicosis. Underlying causes must be sought. You must stop treating symptoms and begin correcting the errors behind the symptoms.