The physiological capacity of the body to effectively metabolize and regulate blood glucose levels following the ingestion of carbohydrates. This measure reflects the efficiency of insulin secretion and the sensitivity of peripheral tissues to insulin’s action, which is essential for maintaining metabolic homeostasis. Impaired glucose tolerance is a critical precursor to type 2 diabetes and often reflects underlying hormonal dysfunction.
Origin
The term is a descriptive clinical construct, combining ‘glucose,’ the fundamental sugar, and ‘tolerance,’ indicating the body’s capacity to handle a specific load without adverse effect. The clinical assessment method, the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT), was developed to quantify this capacity and diagnose states of dysglycemia. This concept is fundamental to understanding carbohydrate metabolism.
Mechanism
Following glucose intake, the pancreas releases insulin, which signals muscle, fat, and liver cells to take up glucose from the bloodstream. Adequate glucose tolerance requires prompt and sufficient insulin release coupled with normal insulin receptor sensitivity in target cells. When cells become insulin resistant, or insulin secretion is inadequate, blood glucose levels remain elevated for too long, demonstrating a failure of this regulatory mechanism.
Night work profoundly disrupts the body's circadian clock, leading to hormonal imbalances and impaired insulin sensitivity, which compromises glucose regulation.
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