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.
For example, the glycoprotein collagen consists of a protein backbone plus simple sugars, including glucose. Collagen is an essential structural molecule found in skin, muscles, bones and other body tissues. Other glycoproteins play important roles in the development and maintenance of the nerves of the body. Glycolipids, which consist of fat and sugar building blocks, are fundamental components of the membranes that surround the individual cells of the body, as well as structures within these cells.
A significant drop in blood sugar typically causes symptoms of hypoglycemia relatively quickly, because of the brain's exquisite dependence on a constant glucose supply. A high blood glucose level, or hyperglycemia, may or may not cause obvious symptoms. In people with type 1 diabetes, who have little to no production of the blood-sugar-lowering hormone insulin, the combination of high blood sugar and lack of insulin often leads to signs and symptoms, including: -- excessive thirst and hunger -- unintentional weight loss -- lack of energy -- increased urination.
In people with type 2 diabetes or its predecessor prediabetes, these signs and symptoms often do not occur or are not significant enough to become obvious. For this reason, many people with these conditions often go undiagnosed for many years. Monitoring your blood sugar is vital for controlling diabetes. Frequent high levels can lead to serious health problems. You may be able to manage…. A random glucose test is a random blood test to check glucose levels.
Also called casual testing, it can help assess how well diabetes is being…. Everything you've wanted to know about type 2 diabetes: The warning signs, possible complications, risk factors, prevention, type 2 in children, and…. Diabetes hinders your ability to produce insulin. Without it, cells are starved for energy and must seek an alternate source, leading to serious…. The risk factors for type 2 diabetes are complex and range from genetic to environmental to lifestyle choices.
Learn more. My diagnosis was a wake-up call. It was time to take care of my health. Learn more about its symptoms, causes, and treatment. I learned that the best type 2 diabetes diet is the one that works for you. Members of the T2D Healthline community understand well how managing diabetes can feel overwhelming. These 6 tips can help make it easier.
Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Type 2 Diabetes. Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M. How does the body process glucose?
How do you test your glucose? What are the normal levels for glucose? What should you do if your levels are too high or too low? What happens if your levels go unregulated? List of Partners vendors.
It is carried through your blood to all of the cells in your body. The amount of glucose in your bloodstream is called blood sugar or blood glucose. When functioning normally, your body regulates these blood glucose levels, ensuring your cells get their needed fuel, with insulin , a hormone that pulls glucose into cells to be used for energy. Insulin therefore removes glucose from your bloodstream and keeps your blood sugar levels steady.
Problems occur when this process is disrupted. This can cause serious damage to your tissues and result in various complications. Low blood sugar can also occur, and it similarly causes symptoms and can lead to serious complications. Generally, glucose comes from the carbohydrates in the food we eat after they are absorbed, digested, and converted to their simplest form.
When you eat a carbohydrate-heavy food like bread, for instance, the enzymes and acids in your stomach break it down, releasing glucose. Your intestines then absorb glucose, releasing it through the bloodstream and to your cells. Excess glucose is removed from your bloodstream, mostly converted to its storage form, glycogen.
During this time, the liver converts glycogen to glucose through a process called glycogenesis. Your pancreas serves as a monitor for your blood glucose. Your blood sugar levels rise every time carbohydrates are digested, which signals the beta cells in your pancreas to release insulin into your blood.
Insulin then guides the glucose into your fat, liver, and muscle cells so that it can be used for energy. Once glucose moves to these cells, your blood sugar levels return to a normal level between meals. The beta cells in the pancreas are always working in overdrive, monitoring blood sugar levels every few seconds.
Once a carbohydrate-based food is digested, the beta cells immediately get to work, releasing insulin to the bloodstream. During the process where insulin helps glucose move from the bloodstream to cells, your blood sugar levels drop.
This in turn slows down the amount of glucose entering your cells. When everything is working normally, this careful regulatory process ensures that you are getting the right amount of energy to power your cells. Among the crucial roles glucose plays is providing the main source of energy for your brain. The nerve cells needed to convey information to your brain need healthy blood sugar levels for energy. A review found that disruptions in blood glucose levels can lead to many common brain disorders.
Consult your primary care doctor about appropriate benchmarks for blood glucose levels throughout the day.
That being said, there are some general recommended glucose targets for before eating a meal, between meals, after eating a meal, and before and after exercise:. An A1C test —or the HbA1C, hemoglobin A1C, glycated hemoglobin, or glycosylated hemoglobin test —is a blood test that helps monitor and diagnose diabetes. This test measures your average blood sugar levels for the past two to three months. If your glucose levels are regularly being monitored due to treatment for diabetes or another condition, your healthcare provider will most likely administer A1C testing at least four times each year.
There are two types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. In type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks and destroys the pancreatic cells that produce insulin. In type 2 diabetes, your body cannot produce enough needed insulin or use it properly. This is the most common form of diabetes. Diabetes can cause hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar. Blood sugar levels that are too high can damage blood vessels throughout your body and affect different organs.
The kidneys will aim to pass that excess blood glucose through urine. Vaginal yeast infections are more common in women with high blood sugar. Additionally, high glucose can increase the risk of more serious conditions like heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
Diabetic retinopathy is another potential complication. The longer you have diabetes and the less regulated your blood sugar levels are, the higher your risk is of developing this eye condition. A serious condition that can result from high blood sugar levels is diabetic ketoacidosis DKA. This generates ketones, which at elevated levels can make your blood acidic.
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