What is Glucose?

What is Glucose?                  

Glucose is a form of simple sugar, which is a carbohydrate. Our cells need it for energy. Glucose is important for cellular respiration. Chemically, glucose is made up of six carbon atoms, twelve hydrogen atoms, and six oxygen atoms.. Naturally, glucose can be found in plants and is one of the products needed for photosynthesis. Glucose is found in fungi and starchy plants. Animals synthesize glucose in the liver and kidneys. Commercially, glucose is found in food products such as corn, rice, wheat products, and potatoes.

What does glucose do?

Glucose is an energy source for the body. It is the main source of energy for the brain, and when glucose levels are low, person's mental abilities may be impaired. We get most of our glucose from sugar and starchy foods. Our bodies break down these foods and convert them into glucose.

What happens if I consume too little glucose?

People who consume too little glucose (usually by not eating enough food in general) become hyperglycemic. This results in low energy levels and can lead to fainting.

What happens if I consume too much glucose?

Since glucose is distributed through our bodies by our bloodstreams, where it meets and reacts with insulin, ingesting too much glucose will overwhelm the body. When the body's glucose level is too high, the body becomes hyperglycemic which means you have too much sugar and too little insulin. Hypoglycemia and diabetes are disorders that that result when the body cannot regulate glucose and/ or insulin levels, and can happen after years of consuming too much glucose.

How does too much glucose lead to weight gain?

The body converts excess glucose into fat and stores it in the body. Some foods convert to glucose quicker than others convert and are more readily stored as fat. These foods are known as ‘bad carbs' and are usually processed such as white rice, enriched pasta and breads, and most baked desserts.

Will lowering the amount glucose I consume help me to lose weight?

While lowering your glucose (or carbohydrate) levels will help you to lose weight, and probably lose it quickly (Atkins Diet), such a diet is almost impossible to maintain over the long run. It is wiser to consume fewer foods that will quickly convert to glucose such as sugars, and processed grains. Whole grain foods and most vegetables should be eaten regularly along with sources of proteins and fats for a balanced diet.