Glucose provides the energy for life processes. It is the main end product of carbohydrate digestion.
Oxidation of glucose by the glycolytic and tricarboxylic acid pathways provides the chemical energy needed for cellular activity.
When not required for the body’s immediate energy needs, glucose
is converted to glycogen and stored in the liver and muscles (glycogenesis).
When required to maintain the blood glucose level, liver glycogen is converted back to glucose (glycogenolysis).
Muscle glycogen provides the glucose for muscular activity. Excess glucose is oxidized to fatty acids and stored as fat in the tissues. If needed, glucose can also be formed from fats and protein (gluconeogenesis).
An increase in the breakdown of fats to provide energy, results in an increase in the
production of ketones.
Insulin is the most important hormone that regulates the amount of glucose in the blood, the rate at which glucose is
taken up by the tissues, and the conversion of glucose to glycogen. It is made and secreted by the beta-islet cells of the
pancreas. Only insulin is capable of reducing the concentration of glucose in the blood.
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