Glucose why is it important

A sudden, severe drop on blood glucose can lead to seizures and coma. The skeletal muscles normally constitute approximately 30 to 40 percent of total body weight, although this varies based on sex, age and fitness level. The skeletal muscles utilize large amounts of glucose during exercise. Unlike the brain, the skeletal muscles store blood sugar in the form of glycogen, which is quickly broken down to supply glucose during physical exertion. Muscle tissue also normally absorbs large amounts of glucose from the bloodstream during exercise.

Although skeletal muscles can utilize fat-derived molecules for energy production, depletion of glucose stores during prolonged exercise can lead to sudden fatigue -- commonly known as bonking or hitting the wall. The various organs and tissues of the body have the capacity to utilize different fuels. In addition to the brain and skeletal muscles, some other important organs and tissues also rely on glucose as their primary or sole fuel. Examples include the cornea, lens and retina of the eyes, and the red and white blood cells.

Interestingly, although the cells of the small intestines are responsible for absorbing glucose from food and passing it into the bloodstream, they primarily use another molecule called glutamine for fuel. This leaves more glucose for other organs and tissues that are more reliant on the sugar.

In addition to its role in energy production, the human body utilizes glucose along with other substances to manufacture other important structural molecules. Learn more. What should my blood glucose level be? Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph. What is a healthy blood sugar level? What is glucose? High levels Low levels Maintaining healthy levels Lifestyle tips Blood glucose is a sugar that the bloodstream carries to all cells in the body to supply energy.

High levels. Share on Pinterest Hyperglycemia might cause fatigue. Low levels. Maintaining healthy levels. Share on Pinterest Chickpeas are a low-GI option for food. What is blood glucose monitoring? Lifestyle tips. Scientists identify new cause of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes.

Adolescent depression: Could school screening help? Related Coverage. What is hyperglycemia? Symptoms, treatments, causes, and all else you need to know Hyperglycemia is a term for high blood sugar levels.

What are the ideal blood glucose levels? Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph. How does diabetes develop? Medically reviewed by Kelly Wood, MD. How can people manage their A1C levels? Medically reviewed by Angelica Balingit, MD. Can you eat fruit with diabetes? Glucose plays a vital role in maintaining those levels and providing your body with the energy it needs to get through the day.

Everything from the food you eat to your inner mechanics can play a role in how your body produces and uses glucose every day. After you consume foods rich in carbohydrates and sugar, your body produces glucose and uses it to power your cells and brain, providing you with the energy you need to get through the day. After you consume a meal, the acids in your stomach break down the meal and turn the sugars and starches from the food into glucose, which is also referred to as blood sugar.

Your intestines then absorb the glucose and pass it to your bloodstream. Once it makes its way into your bloodstream, insulin pumps into gear to help transfer glucose to your cells, allowing your body to immediately use glucose for energy or store it as reserves for later use. Most of the cells in your body rely at least partly on glucose to function. Red blood cells require glucose to make energy. It can take decades to diagnose high blood-sugar levels, though. This may happen because the pancreas is so good at its job that a doctor can continue to get normal blood-glucose readings while insulin tolerance continues to increase, said Joy Stephenson-Laws, founder of Proactive Health Labs pH Labs , a nonprofit that provides health care education and tools.

Health professionals can check blood sugar levels with an A1C test, which is a blood test for type 2 diabetes and prediabetes, according to the U.

National Library of Medicine. This test measures your average blood glucose, or blood sugar, level over the previous three months.

Doctors may use the A1C alone or in combination with other diabetes tests to make a diagnosis. They also use the A1C to see how well you are managing your diabetes. This test is different from the blood sugar checks that people with diabetes do for themselves every day. In the condition called hypoglycemia, the body fails to produce enough sugar. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of hypoglycemia can be:. Stephenson-Laws said healthy individuals can keep their blood sugar at the appropriate levels using the following methods:.

Talk with a competent health care professional about what an ideal weight for you should be before starting any kind of weight loss program.