Foods with a high glycemic load can lead to elevated blood glucose levels, which in turn can stimulate glycolysis in cells, particularly muscle cells. When blood glucose levels rise, insulin promotes the uptake of glucose into cells, including muscle cells. This can increase the rate of glycolysis, especially when the energy demands of the cells are high, such as during physical activity. However, at rest or when energy demands are low, excess glucose may be diverted to glycogen or fat synthesis rather than glycolysis.

Regarding acid-base balance, lactic acid can indeed lead to a decrease in blood pH, but the body has several mechanisms to maintain homeostasis. For example, lactic acid can be used by the liver to synthesize glucose through gluconeogenesis or oxidized in the mitochondria for energy. Additionally, buffering systems in the blood, such as the bicarbonate system, help maintain pH within normal limits.

Thanks Maxim for your answer. Much appreciated!

Hi Maxim, can I quote you in future writings?

..yes it does-so beware what you and how much of it you ingest

Regards

E. Freye, MD

Dear Enno, thanks that is in agreement with what I think but do you have any references (papers etc.)?

The response above by Maxim is spot on. When glucose concentrations in plasma rise, the body produces incretins which stimulate insulin production in the pancreas. Insulin promotes glucose uptake. This triggers glucokinase (skeletal muscles) and/or hexokinase (liver) to phosphorylate and trap glucose intracellularly. These are rate-limiting step enzymes. This leads to accelerated glycolytic flux. Glucose can be stored as glycogen/fat or used to generate ATP depending on the cellular energy demands, and the cell type.

The alkaline tide highly buffers blood glucose and the blood pH rarely changes in non-pathological states. You talked of a rise in lactic acid levels but what is causing it? High metabolic demand like in athletics, drugs like some NRTIs or metformin? Irrespective of the cause, LDH rapidly converts lactate to pyruvate which enters the Krebs cycle for ATP production. If this process is overwhelmed like in the use of some drugs, then serious pathological states that disturb acid-base balance lead to the life-threatening metabolic acidosis occur.

Sorry, I meant glucokinase (liver) and Hexokinase (skeletal muscles). The 2 isoenzymes only differ in their Km for glucose.

Thanks Peter, you have explained it to me very clearly. Can I quote you in an article I plan to publish on RG, so not in a scientific journal?

Yes you can thanks.