Glucose is a small, simple sugar that serves as a primary fuel for energy production, especially for the brain, muscles and several other body organs and tissues. Glucose also serves as a building block for larger structural molecules of the body, such as glycoproteins and glycolipids.
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.
Because of its high energy demands and inability to store glucose, the brain requires a constant supply of the sugar. The body possesses multiple mechanisms to prevent a significant drop in blood glucose, or hypoglycemia.
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.
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Endo: It is a sugar your body uses for energy.
Image Credit: Oksana_S/iStock/Getty Images. Every cell of the human body requires energy to perform the metabolic functions that sustain life. Glucose is a small, simple sugar that serves as a primary fuel for energy production, especially for the brain, muscles and several other body organs and tissues.
Because glucose serves so many important functions in the body, discuss any concerns about your glucose levels with your doctor. This is especially important if you have risk factors for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, including: -- age older than 40 -- above-normal body weight -- inactive lifestyle -- parents or siblings with diabetes
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.
The brain normally relies almost exclusively on glucose to fuel its energy needs. Because of its high energy demands and inability to store glucose, the brain requires a constant supply of the sugar. The body possesses multiple mechanisms to prevent a significant drop in blood glucose, or hypoglycemia. Should such a drop occur, however, brain functions can begin to fail. Common brain-related symptoms of hypoglycemia include headache, dizziness, confusion, lack of concentration, anxiety, irritability, restlessness, slurred speech and poor coordination. A sudden, severe drop on blood glucose can lead to seizures and coma.
Other glycoproteins play important roles in the development and maintenance of the nerves of the body.
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.
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.