Rethinking Blood Sugar Control
A study published in Hepatology highlights an important communication pathway between the gut, brain, and liver in regulating blood glucose levels.
Researchers found that when lipids (fats) are introduced into the upper intestine, they trigger signals that reduce glucose production in the liver—even before the fats enter the bloodstream. This effect depends on an intact neural communication pathway between the gut and brain. When specific nerves were disrupted, the glucose-lowering effect disappeared.
The liver also plays a central role. Cutting the nerves connecting the liver to the brain eliminated the metabolic response, confirming that this gut–brain–liver network is essential for blood sugar regulation.
In simple terms, fats in the intestine activate a neural circuit that helps control glucose production. Targeting this pathway may offer new strategies for managing obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Source: Hepatology