Question

Elroy was diagnosed with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome when he was 2 years old. Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is a severe form of generalized epilepsy that results in the frequent seizures. It is also associated with intellectual disabilities and developmental delays, likely due to the repeated neuronal insult from the seizures. After trying a number of different medications, the doctors have failed to find one that is able to control Elroy's seizures. Therefore, his doctor recommends that Elroy start on a ketogenic diet to severely limit the amount of carbohydrates in the diet. While this diet is thought to be fairly successful, it is important to calibrate carbohydrate intake precisely to avoid serious side effects. Therefore, Elroy and his parents are working closely with a dietician to ensure that he meets his minimum carbohydrate requirements for glucose-requiring tissues, while still limiting carbohydrates enough to prevent seizures, and simultaneously meeting the regular energy requirements for the rest of his body. When Elroy first starts this diet, his glucose levels decrease. What process increases in order to provide energy for glucose-requiring tissues?

Answer 1

The process that increases to provide energy for glucose requiring tissues is Ketogenesis.

Step-by-step explanation:

To provide energy for glucose-requiring tissues Elroy's body increases ketogenesis. It is a process that takes place in the liber, where fatty acids are catabolized (break into small components) to produce ketone bodies. Ketone bodies are an alternative source of energy for the body when this one has low levels of glucose, like in this case.