What is globulin?

Globulin is a protein and is made in the liver. High levels may indicate autoimmune disease, infections or cancer. A low globulin reading may be a sign of liver or kidney disease. 

About 40% of the proteins in your blood are alpha, beta and gamma globulins. Albumin is the other common blood protein.

Globulin forms the main transport system for various substances as well as a constituant of the antibody system (“immunoglobulins”) that fights infections and viruses. Globulins are also needed to form blood clots and keep the liver and kidneys functioning. 

The globulin value on the chemistry panel is not measured, but is calculated by the equation: Globulins = Total protein – Albumin.

There are four groups of globulins. Serum protein electrophoresis is the test used to distinguish one from another and establish levels of each within the bloodstream.

Non-gluten proteins constitute about 25% of the total protein content of wheat cereal. Recently it has been shown that these non-gluten proteins are immune-reactive in individuals with wheat sensitivity. The 5 groups of non-gluten proteins which are distinctly different from the gluten proteins that are responsible for inflammation in patients with wheat sensitivity are serpins, purinins, farinins, amylase/protease inhibitors and globulins.

Glucagon is a peptide hormone secreted from the alpha cells of the pancreatic islets of Langerhans. Hypoglycemia is physiologically the most potent secretory stimulus and the best known action of glucagon is to stimulate glucose production in the liver and thereby to maintain adequate plasma glucose concentrations. However, glucagon is also involved in hepatic lipid and amino acid metabolism and may increase resting energy expenditure. Based on satiety-inducing and food intake-lowering effects of exogenous glucagon, a role for glucagon in the regulation of appetite has also been proposed.

Glucarate helps your liver perform its important role in removing from your body many types of toxins such as pesticides, prescription drugs, food components, and intestinal bacteria.

AKA: Glucarate / D-Glucaric Acid

- Urinary glucaric acid has been used as an indicator of induced hepatic drug metabolization and elevated with exposure to xenobiotics.

- Levels may indirectly represent P-450 activity or an end-product of the glucuronidation pathway.

- Calcium-D-glucarate is the calcium salt of D-Glucarate.

- Dietary glucaric acid and supplementation with calcium-D-glucarate may suppress cell proliferation and inflammation, induce apoptosis, and have anticancer properties. Glucaric acid from dietary plants may act as a nontoxic β-glucuronidase inhibitor. Glucaric acid is normally in equilibrium with D-glucaro-1,4- lactone, and an increase in dietary glucaric acid increased D-glucaro-1,4- lactone, which suppresses blood and tissue beta-glucuronidase activity. Vegetarians may have higher levels.

- It has been found increased with increased PCBs, toxins, and medications.

What is Glucose?

A blood sugar test measures the amount of a sugar called glucose in a sample of your blood. Glucose (also known as blood sugar) is a major source of energy for most cells of the body, including brain cells. Glucose is a building block for carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are found in fruit, cereal, bread, pasta, and rice. Carbohydrates are quickly turned into glucose in your body. This can raise your blood glucose level. A hormone called insulin helps move glucose from your bloodstream into your cells. Elevated fasting blood glucose is often a sign of Type 2 diabetes. Very high glucose levels, whether fasting or not, usually indicate Type 1 diabetes.

Glucose is often part of a regular blood test called the comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP).

- Glucose identifies processing of overall diet. Small amounts of glucose may be found in the urine of healthy individuals.

- Researchers found that those with a high waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), but no history of diabetes, had significantly lower urine glucose excretion.

- Metabolism of glucose – glycolysis – is heavily dependent on magnesium.

What is Glucose?

A blood sugar test measures the amount of a sugar called glucose in a sample of your blood. Glucose (also known as blood sugar) is a major source of energy for most cells of the body, including brain cells. Glucose is a building block for carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are found in fruit, cereal, bread, pasta, and rice. Carbohydrates are quickly turned into glucose in your body. This can raise your blood glucose level. A hormone called insulin helps move glucose from your bloodstream into your cells. Elevated fasting blood glucose is often a sign of Type 2 diabetes. Very high glucose levels, whether fasting or not, usually indicate Type 1 diabetes.

Glucose is often part of a regular blood test called the comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP).

The marker Glucose (OA) (Urine) is used to assess the level of glucose in urine, which can provide important insights into an individual's metabolic health. Glucose is a type of sugar that is a primary source of energy for the body's cells. Under normal circumstances, glucose is reabsorbed by the kidneys and does not appear in urine. However, when blood glucose levels are excessively high, as can occur in conditions like diabetes, the kidneys may not be able to reabsorb all of the glucose, leading to its presence in the urine. This condition is known as glycosuria. Monitoring glucose in urine can help detect issues with blood sugar regulation, which may be indicative of diabetes or other metabolic disorders. In addition, the presence of glucose in urine can sometimes signal kidney damage or dysfunction, as the kidneys are not effectively filtering blood. Regularly testing urine for glucose is a non-invasive method that can aid in early detection and management of metabolic conditions, helping individuals maintain better overall health through timely intervention and lifestyle adjustments.

The Glucose - Arterial marker on Labcorp's Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) Panel measures the concentration of glucose in arterial blood. Glucose is a primary energy source for the body's cells and is tightly regulated by hormones such as insulin and glucagon. Monitoring glucose levels is essential for assessing metabolic status and diagnosing conditions like diabetes mellitus and hypoglycemia.

Glucose 6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase, often abbreviated as G6PD (or G-6-PD), plays a critical role in the body's cellular function. This enzyme is vital for the health of all cells, but it's particularly crucial for red blood cells. 

G6PD helps cells manage oxidative stress. Oxidative stress occurs when there's an imbalance between the production of harmful free radicals (unstable molecules that can damage cells) and the body's ability to counteract their harmful effects through neutralization with antioxidants. G6PD aids in the production of NADPH, a molecule that plays a key role in the antioxidant defense system of cells. Specifically, NADPH helps maintain the supply of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that protects red blood cells from damage.

The importance of G6PD comes into the spotlight when we consider its role in maintaining the integrity and functionality of red blood cells. These cells are responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body and returning carbon dioxide back to the lungs for exhalation. Because red blood cells are continuously exposed to oxygen, they are particularly susceptible to oxidative damage. G6PD ensures that red blood cells can protect themselves against such damage and thus, maintain their crucial function in oxygen transportation.

Glucose Non-Fasting tests are an essential tool in the ongoing monitoring and management of blood sugar levels, crucial for individuals with diabetes or those at risk. Unlike traditional glucose tests that require fasting, these non-fasting tests offer a convenient and immediate assessment of blood glucose levels at any time of day, regardless of when you last ate.

Glucose is usually not present in urine, because in the kidneys glucose is reabsorbed from the filtrate of glomerulus, across the tubular epithelium of proximal tubule into the bloodstream.

GLUCOSE-6-PHOSPHATE DEHYDROGENASE helps red blood cells (RBCs) function normally. It also protects them from potentially harmful byproducts that can accumulate when your body is fighting infection or as the result of certain medications. A lack of GLUCOSE-6-PHOSPHATE DEHYDROGENASE may make RBCs more vulnerable to breaking down in a process called hemolysis.

The patient’s cells are challenged with glucose and their ability to grow in the presence or absence of insulin is determined. A significant decrease of cell growth is indicative of reduced ability to metabolize glucose.

Preliminary evidence suggests that persons with abnormal Glucose-Insulin Interaction exhibit hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia based on glucose tolerance testing. Morbidly obese persons with abnormal Glucose-Insulin Interaction may indicate insulin resistance. Thus, deficiency symptoms include fatigue, headaches, nausea, disorientation, dizziness, cold hands and feet, glucose intolerance.

Dietary suggestions are to replace, as much as possible, refined carbohydrates (table sugar, corn syrup, white flour, products made predominantly with white flour and/or sugar) with wholefood, unrefined carbohydrates (whole grain products, legumes, fruits). Reduce intake of foods with a high glycemic index. If clinically indicated, it is suggested that further laboratory testing of glucose and insulin metabolism be conducted (glucose tolerance test, glycosylated hemoglobin). Since chromium status is closely linked with insulin function and glucose tolerance, a chromium deficiency is one possible reason for abnormal Glucose-Insulin Interaction.

Glutamate is a vital neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, involved in almost all significant excitatory brain functions. It is the primary and most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter, and it's estimated that over half of all neural synapses release glutamate, making it a critical player in neural circuit communication.

Glutamic acid and glutamate are essentially interchangeable terms. The two molecules are almost identical, except that glutamic acid has an additional proton, or hydrogen atom. In physiological conditions, glutamic acid sheds this extra proton and becomes glutamate, the abundant form of the amino acid in the human body.

Glutamate is a crucial excitatory neurotransmitter that plays a vital role in maintaining healthy brain and nervous system function. It enables us to learn, remember, feel, sense, and coordinate our movements effectively.