The Liver & Blood Sugar :: Diabetes Education Online Diabetes Education Online « Controlling Blood Sugar During a meal, your liver stores sugar for later. When you’re not eating, the liver supplies sugar by turning glycogen into glucose in a process called glycogenolysis. The liver both stores and produces sugar… The liver acts as the body’s glucose (or fuel) reservoir, and helps to keep your circulating blood sugar levels and other body fuels steady and constant. The liver both stores and manufactures glucose depending upon the body’s need. The need to store or release glucose is primarily signaled by the hormones insulin and glucagon . During a meal, your liver will store sugar, or glucose, as glycogen for a later time when your body needs it. The high levels of insulin and suppressed levels of glucagon during a meal promote the storage of glucose as glycogen. The liver makes sugar when you need it…. When you’re not eating – especially overnight or between meals, the body has to make its own sugar. The liver supplies sugar or glucose by turning glycogen into glucose in a process called glycogenolysis. The liver also can manufacture necessary sugar or glucose by harvesting amino acids, waste products and fat byproducts. This process is called gluconeogenesis.

The liver also makes another fuel, ketones, when sugar is in short supply…. When your body’s glycogen storage is running low, the body starts to conserve the sugar supplies for the organs that always require sugar. These include: the brain, red blood cells and parts of the kidney. To supplement the limited sugar supply, the liver makes alternative fuels called ketones from fats. This process is called ketogenesis. The hormone signal for ketogenesis to begin is a low level of insulin. Ketones are burned as fuel by muscle and other body organs. And the sugar is saved for the organs that need it. The terms “gluconeogenesis, glycogenolysis and ketogenesis” may seem like complicated concepts or words on a biology test. Take a moment to review the definitions and illustrations above. When you have diabetes, these processes can be thrown off balance, and if you fully understand what is happening, you can take steps to fix the problem. Gluconeogenesis? Glycogenolysis? Ketogenesis? What are they? You need to know. Self-assessment Quiz Self assessment quizzes are available for topics covered in this website.

To find out how much you have learned about Facts about Diabetes, take our self assessment quiz when you have completed this section. The quiz is multiple choice. Please choose the single best answer to each question. At the end of the quiz, your score will display. If your score is over 70% correct, you are doing very well. If your score is less than 70%, you can return to this section and review the information. What Organs Store Carbohydrates in the Human Body? | Chron.com What Organs Store Carbohydrates in the Human Body? What Organs Store Carbohydrates in the Human Body? by Erica Kannall Skeletal muscles store the majority of excess carbohydrates. Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images [Small Intestine] | The Importance of Villi and the Small Intestine to the Digestion of Nutrients Carbohydrate stores in skeletal muscles and the liver provide quick energy when your blood sugar is low. After carbohydrates are ingested, they are broken down into simple sugars and absorbed into your bloodstream. This sugar travels to cells to fuel their activity. If you consume more carbohydrates than you need at the time, your body will store the rest for later use.

Skeletal Muscles Skeletal muscles, such as leg and arm muscles, are the primary storage area for excess carbohydrates in your body. The carbohydrates are assembled into glycogen, the storage form of carbohydrate, and stored along with water in muscles. According to Iowa State University, a healthy adult can store roughly 400 grams of carbohydrate in skeletal muscles. During physical activity, your muscles can use their glycogen stores to power the exercise. Depending on exercise intensity, muscle glycogen stores may be able to fuel 20 to 90 minutes of activity. Liver Your liver is another organ where carbohydrates are stored for later use. According to Iowa State University, 90 to 110 grams of glycogen can be stored in a healthy adult's liver. Glycogen in the liver is released into the bloodstream when your blood sugar is low, such as between meals or during exercise. Typically, at least 25 grams of carbohydrate circulate in your bloodstream at a time. The sugar in your bloodstream that was released from your liver can then travel to the organ that needs it, such as the brain or exercising muscles.

Fat Cells Your body can store roughly 500 grams, or 2,000 calories' worth, of carbohydrates in your liver and muscles. Once these glycogen stores are full, the remainder of excess carbohydrates you eat are converted into triglycerides and stored in fat cells. These fat stores supply energy to your body when glycogen stores have been depleted during times of fasting, calorie deficit or intense exercise. While excess fat storage is undesirable, some fat helps protect vital organs, insulates your body and regulates nerve function. Storage Factors Some individuals are able to store more carbohydrates as glycogen than others. According to Nancy Clark, author of "Sports Nutrition Guidebook," athletes and those who exercise regularly are able to store more glycogen in their muscles than those who don't exercise as much. These increased glycogen stores can help fuel high-intensity or prolonged exercise. If you have diabetes, you may have a decreased capacity to store glycogen. In diabetes, your cells may become less sensitive to insulin or your body may not produce enough. Insulin aids in moving excess sugar from your bloodstream to your liver and muscles for storage.

Excess glucose is stored in cells as glycogen Which organ of - BIO - 120 View Full Document What hormone is released when blood sugar is low? Which cells does it act upon? What does it cause the target cells to do? Glucagon. It acts on liver and muscle cells. It causes target cells to break down stored glycogen into glucose. What is overweight in BMI? 25-29.9 What is obese in BMI? over 30 What 2 components contribute to obesity? Biological history and cultural influence What organic molecule is most energy dense? fat How/where do we store excess sugars short term? bound together as glycogen, which is stored in muscle cells and tissues. How are excess sugar, protein, and fat stored long term? once glycogen stores have been filled, excess energy is stored in form of triglycerides. What are the starting molecules for aerobic respiration? oxygen and glucose What are the end products aerobic respiration? Organelle aerobic respiration happens in? mitochondria Where does energy to make ATP come from? chemical bonds of food molecules where does fermentation take place in cell? cytoplasm what 3 chemicals does a lipid profile include info on?

LDL, HDL, triglycerides Give 3 attributes that contribute to a person’s daily energy needs. Digesting, thinking, walking What is the name of the cells that produce insulin in the pancreas? Islets of Langerhans Give 2 organs, the hormone they secrete, and the hormone’s function. Kidneys secrete adrenaline, which controls fight or flight response. Thyroid secretes thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolism What causes Type 1 diabetes? Pathological destruction of the insulin-producing cells in the islets of Langerhans. How is Type 2 diabetes different from Type 1 diabetes? How is it similar? Both Type 1 and 2 mean that there is a problem with production or response to insulin. Type 2 has cells that don’t respond to insulin, while Type 1 can’t make insulin at all. This preview has intentionally blurred sections. Sign up to view the full version. The Main Storage of Carbohydrates in the Human Body | Healthy Eating | SF Gate The Main Storage of Carbohydrates in the Human Body The Main Storage of Carbohydrates in the Human Body Most carbohydrates are eventually stored as glycogen in the muscles of the body.

Found in foods such as grains, fruit and vegetables, carbohydrates make up the body's go-to energy supply. Every cell in the body requires energy to function, so you must have a steady source of energy -- even when carbohydrates aren’t immediately available. To provide that steady energy, the body stores any excess carbohydrates, usually as a compound called glycogen. Glycogen Formation Carbohydrates exist as simple carbohydrates, known as sugars or monosaccharides, or complex carbohydrates, known as polysaccharides. When the body digests complex carbohydrates, it breaks those compounds down into a sugar known as glucose, which the body metabolizes for energy. Any glucose in the bloodstream remaining after immediate needs for energy becomes the compound glycogen, a long chain of linked glucose molecules, which the body can later break down again for energy. Glycogen Storage The liver and skeletal muscle in the body mainly store glycogen. Glycogen accounts for approximately 10 percent of the weight of the liver, while it represents two percent of the weight of muscles. Since the total mass of muscle in the body is greater than the total mass of the liver, muscle stores most of the glycogen.

Glycogen Use When the body can't meet its energy needs with the amount of glucose circulating in the body, it uses glycogen. Under these conditions, the body breaks the stored glycogen down in order to satisfy those needs. Glycogen stored in muscle tissue provides energy to that specific muscle; for instance, glycogen stored in the legs could provide energy for running. Glycogen stored in the liver regulates the amount of blood glucose as a whole, ensuring all bodily cells achieve their energy requirements. Other Storage of Carbohydrates If the body has met its immediate energy needs and all glycogen stores in the body are full, it converts any remaining glucose in the bloodstream to fat. Fat is a much less efficient fuel source than glycogen, because glycogen is readily available to muscles and is easily broken down into glucose. The body can break fat down and convert it back into glucose for energy, but only under conditions where glycogen isn't available.

American Liver Foundation - Type I Glycogen Storage Disease American Liver Foundation New York, New York 10006 212-668-1000 Tel Pediatric Liver Disease , Progression of Liver Disease , Liver Transplant , Blood Tests , Dietary Restrictions Help Fight Liver Disease We rely upon donations to fund programs, and our chapters rely upon volunteers to run events. Please support us. Home > Your Liver > Liver Disease Information > Type I Glycogen Storage Disease Type I Glycogen Storage Disease Explore this section to learn more about Type I Glycogen Storage Disease, including a description of the disease and how it's diagnosed. What is type I glycogen storage disease? Type I glycogen storage disease (GSD I), also known as von Gierke’s disease, is the most common form of glycogen storage disease, accounting for 25% of all cases. It is an inherited disorder that affects the metabolism - the way the body breaks food down into energy. After we eat, excess glucose is stored in the liver as glycogen to maintain normal glucose levels in our body. In GSD I, the enzyme needed to release glucose from glycogen is missing.

When this occurs, a person cannot maintain his or her blood glucose levels and will develop hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) within a few hours after eating. The low levels of glucose in the blood of these individuals often result in chronic hunger, fatigue, and irritability. These symptoms are especially noticeable in infants. Since people with GSD I are able to store glucose as glycogen but unable to release it normally, stores of glycogen build up in the liver over time and cause it to swell. The liver is able to perform many of its other functions normally, and there is no evidence of liver failure. The kidneys also become enlarged because of increased glycogen storage. What are the symptoms of type I glycogen storage disease? Children born with GSD I typically exhibit growth failure, chronic hunger, fatigue, irritability, an enlarged liver, and a swollen abdomen. Blood tests may indicate low blood sugar concentration and higher than normal levels of lipids and uric acid. What causes type I glycogen storage disease?

GSD I is an inherited genetic disorder which causes the deficiency of one of the enzymes that work together to help the body break down the storage form of sugar (glycogen) into glucose, which the body uses to keep blood sugar stable when a person is not eating. How is type I glycogen storage disease diagnosed? Children with GSD I are usually diagnosed between 4 and 10 months of age. Testing will most likely include blood tests, imaging tests such as ultrasound to measure the liver and kidneys, and possibly a genetic test or liver biopsy. How is type I glycogen storage disease treated? The treatment of type I glycogen storage disease is focused on correcting the metabolic changes in the body and promoting the growth and development of the child. A combination of uncooked cornstarch mixed in water, soy formula, or soy milk is often recommended. Cornstarch is digested slowly, so it provides a steady release of glucose in between feedings. Current treatments consist of providing small, frequent feedings during the day. Most doctors agree that certain sugars should be restricted, but the degree of restriction is still debated.

In some cases, an overnight tube feeding, typically via a naso-gastric tube, is required to provide a continuous delivery of glucose. If my child has been diagnosed with type I glycogen storage disease, what should I ask our doctor? Speak to your doctor about your child’s dietary needs and restrictions. Who is at risk for type I glycogen storage disease? GSD I is an inherited genetic disorder. The effects of the disease are apparent very early in childhood. Page updated: January 14th, 2015 What Does The Liver Do? Breaks down ammonia (and other toxins) created in the colon by bacteria; thus preventing death Helps to maintain blood pressure Constructs cholesterol and estrogen, reconstructs hormones Humanizes nutrients, metabolizes protein, carbohydrates, fat for energy Synthesizes urea, constructs blood protein, interconverts amino acids Constructs 50,000 systems of enzymes to govern metabolic activity throughout the body Removes damaged red blood cells Converts the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4) into it more active form triiodothyronine (T3). Inadequate conversion may lead to hypothyroidism, chronic fatigue, weight gain, poor memory and other debilitating conditions.

Creates GTF (Glucose Tolerance Factor) from chromium, niacin and possibly glutathione. GTF is needed for the hormone insulin to properly regulate blood-sugar levels. Manufactures bile salts which emulsify fats and the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K for proper absorption. The liver also removes some fat-soluble toxins from the body. Activates B vitamins into their biologically active coenzyme forms. Virtually every nutrient must be biotransformed by the liver into its proper biochemical form before the nutrient can be stored, transported or used in cellular metabolism. Stores various nutrients, especially A, D, B-12 and iron for release as needed. Manufactures carnitine from lysine and other nutrients. Carnitine is the only known bionutrient which can escort fats into the mitochondria where they are used to generate ATP energy. The mitochondria generate 90% of the ATP energy at the cellular level. Converts lactic acid from a toxic waste to an important storage fuel. Lactic acid is produced when glucose is metabolized through the energy production cycle. When excessive levels accumulate, you experience sore muscles.

A healthy liver will extract lactic acid from the bloodstream and convert it into the reserve endurance fuel, glycogen. Serves as the main glucose buffer, preventing high or low extremes of blood sugar. The liver is the key regulator of blood sugar between meals due to its manufacture, storage, and release of glycogen, the starch form of glucose. When blood sugar is low, a healthy liver converts stored glycogen into glucose, releasing it into the bloodstream to raise blood sugar levels. When blood sugar is high, a healthy liver will convert the excess into stored glycogen or fat. Chief regulator of protein metabolism. The liver converts different amino acids into each other as needed. Produces cholesterol and converts it into the various forms needed for blood transport. Converts essential fatty acids such as GLA, EPA, and DHA into the lipoprotein forms necessary to allow transport via the bloodstream to the 50 trillion cells requiring fatty acids. Main poison-detoxifying organ in the body. The liver must break down every substance toxic to the body including metabolic wastes, insecticide and pesticide residues, drugs, alcohol, etc. Failure of this function will usually cause death in 12 to 24 hours.

Removes ammonia, a toxic by-product of animal protein metabolism, from the body. Breaks down hormones after they have served their function. i.e., if the liver does not break down insulin fast enough, hypoglycemia results because the circulating insulin continues to lower blood sugar. The liver is vital to a host of other metabolic functions, but this brief overview should serve to illustrate the central role the liver plays in maintaining good health and the importance of implementing life-style change if necessary. This is just the start of an extremely long list of liver functions. It is still uncertain exactly how many functions the liver is responsible for, but currently the list exceeds at least 500 different functions. Displaying: 4 Results, 10 at a time. View All » Contact Us Please note that the material within Healing*Edge Science is for educational purposes only and should not be replaced by a physician's consultation. The Food and Drug administration has not evaluated this information or any other information on integrative medicine. Copyright and trademark laws under U.S. and international law protect this site. All information, images, layout and design in part or whole, cannot be copied or used for business purposes, without first requesting permission from Healing*Edge Sciences.

*Free shipping applies to U.S. orders only. Excludes Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico.© Healing*Edge Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. Glycogen Storage Disease Clinical and Research Program - Duke Children's Hospital & Health Center Home > Patient Services (A-Z) > Medical Genetics > Glycogen Storage Disease Clinical and Research Program Glycogen Storage Disease Clinical and Research Program Dedicated to the holistic, bench-to-bedside approach to diagnosis, management, and treatment of Glycogen Storage Diseases, specializing in all types of Glycogen Storage Disease. What is Glycogen Storage Disease? Glycogen Storage Diseases (GSD) are a group of inherited disorders of metabolism that result in storage of excess glycogen (a form of stored energy for the body) caused by the lack of a particular enzyme needed for releasing glucose (a form of sugar) from glycogen. Glucose is sugar that the body uses for energy. After eating, extra glucose that is not used for energy is stored by the body as glycogen. In periods when the body needs additional energy, typically between eating and during exercise, glucose is released from stored glycogen with the help of certain enzymes. Glycogen is mainly stored in the liver and muscle.

Thus, the majority of glycogen storage diseases result in excess glycogen stored primarily in the liver and/or muscles. Because the body is unable to breakdown glycogen when needed, another feature of some types of GSDs, particularly GSDs that mainly affect the liver (such as GSD I, III, VI and IX), can be periods of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) during fasting. Muscle symptoms associated with excess stored glycogen occur in various types of GSD, and symptoms are variable. We are learning more about muscle involvement with GSD III and IX. GSD II (Pompe disease) is not typically associated with hypoglycemia, as symptoms primarily affect the muscle. For more information about GSD II and the treatment that was developed at Duke, please visit the Pompe Disease Clinical and Research Program . What are the different types of Glycogen Storage Disease? Glycogen Storage Disease Type 0 How is Glycogen Storage Disease diagnosed? The Glycogen Storage Disease Laboratory at Duke works with health care professionals to provide testing for patients both within and outside of Duke University Medical Center.

For the diagnosis of Glycogen Storage Diseases I, III, VI, and IX, enzyme activity assay and analysis for glycogen content can be assessed by performing a liver biopsy. Muscle biopsy can also test for subtypes of GSD III and GSD IX. Enzyme testing is not appropriate for carrier testing. DNA testing (genetic testing) is available through common mutation testing (for mutations that are more common in certain populations) and/or gene sequencing. DNA testing is appropriate for confirmation of clinical diagnosis, a positive family history, carrier testing, and (if familial mutations are known) prenatal testing. Prenatal testing is available on CVS samples and cultured amniocytes. For information on testing that is specific to each type of GSD, please see Glycogen Storage Disease Laboratory Test Information . Forms Contact the Glycogen Storage Disease Laboratory for more information: Biochemical Genetics Laboratory 801 Capitola Drive, Suite 6 Durham, NC 27713 Fax: 919-549-0709 Treatments The Duke Glycogen Storage Disease Program follows a systematic and multidisciplinary management and treatment plan for patients with GSDs.

We partner with many subspecialties at Duke to give our patients a system of providers familiar with GSD and its treatment. Our physicians and staff proudly serve a broad, international patient population, providing clinical care and consultation to individuals with Glycogen Storage Disease and their attending physicians, worldwide. Treatment is individualized based on a multidisciplinary review of our patient’s symptoms, strengths/limitations, and needs. Hours: Mondays, 8:00 am - 3:00 pm Additional Locations Patients may be seen in consultation by additional sub-specialties in other outpatient clinics: Duke Children's Hospital and Health Center 2301 Erwin Road To schedule a clinic appointment with our team, contact: Sandra Durden Top of Page Research The Duke Glycogen Storage Disease team upholds a longstanding and ongoing commitment to caring for individuals with glycogen storage diseases and their families.

Some past accomplishments of the team that have translated to improved medical care of GSD patients include: Identifying the causative genes for GSD I and GSD III, Determining tissues in which the GSD III protein is expressed, Identifying long-term complications of GSDs, Establishing a GSD I dog model colony and collaborating with other institutions to further GSD I research, and Characterizing the symptoms of GSD III in a dog model housed at Duke. Through these and other translational research initiatives, we continually strive to achieve earlier diagnoses, enhance therapy and treatment methods, improve patient and family quality of life, and maximize the day-to-day abilities for individuals living with GSD.

Our team coordinates several ongoing research initiatives in order to: Increase medical knowledge in order to promote early diagnosis and treatment Understand the natural history and progression of symptoms across the disease spectrum of various types of Glycogen Storage Diseases Better understand genotype with phenotype correlations in GSD types I, III, and IX Develop and establish the role of additional biomarkers (markers in blood, urine, etc) as noninvasive surveillance of disease Evaluate factors involved in the hepatic adenoma formation and transformation to hepatic carcinoma in GSD I Evaluate muscle and heart involvement in GSD III Determine muscle, heart, liver, and other organ involvement in subtypes of GSD IX Identify the specific role of nutrition in management of features of GSDs Establish new and innovative treatment strategies for Glycogen Storage Diseases Would you like to be a part of the future of GSD research? Visit our Clinical Research page for more information on research opportunities for Glycogen Storage Diseases, or contact: Stephanie Austin Endurance Sports Nutrition: The Body’s Fuel Sources The Body’s Fuel Sources This is an excerpt from Endurance Sports Nutrition, Third Edition by Suzanne Girard Eberle.

The Body’s Fuel Sources Our ability to run, bicycle, ski, swim, and row hinges on the capacity of the body to extract energy from ingested food. As potential fuel sources, the carbohydrate, fat, and protein in the foods that you eat follow different metabolic paths in the body, but they all ultimately yield water, carbon dioxide, and a chemical energy called adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Think of ATP molecules as high-energy compounds or batteries that store energy. Anytime you need energy—to breathe, to tie your shoes, or to cycle 100 miles (160 km)—your body uses ATP molecules. ATP, in fact, is the only molecule able to provide energy to muscle fibers to power muscle contractions. Creatine phosphate (CP), like ATP, is also stored in small amounts within cells. It’s another high-energy compound that can be rapidly mobilized to help fuel short, explosive efforts. To sustain physical activity, however, cells must constantly replenish both CP and ATP. Our daily food choices resupply the potential energy, or fuel, that the body requires to continue to function normally. This energy takes three forms: carbohydrate, fat, and protein.

(See table 2.1, Estimated Energy Stores in Humans.) The body can store some of these fuels in a form that offers muscles an immediate source of energy. Carbohydrates, such as sugar and starch, for example, are readily broken down into glucose, the body’s principal energy source. Glucose can be used immediately as fuel, or can be sent to the liver and muscles and stored as glycogen. During exercise, muscle glycogen is converted back into glucose, which only the muscle fibers can use as fuel. The liver converts its glycogen back into glucose, too; however, it’s released directly into the bloodstream to maintain your blood sugar (blood glucose) level. During exercise, your muscles pick up some of this glucose and use it in addition to their own private glycogen stores. Blood glucose also serves as the most significant source of energy for the brain, both at rest and during exercise. The body constantly uses and replenishes its glycogen stores. The carbohydrate content of your diet and the type and amount of training that you undertake influence the size of your glycogen stores.

The capacity of your body to store muscle and liver glycogen, however, is limited to approximately 1,800 to 2,000 calories worth of energy, or enough fuel for 90 to 120 minutes of continuous, vigorous activity. If you’ve ever hit the wall while exercising, you know what muscle glycogen depletion feels like. As we exercise, our muscle glycogen reserves continually decease, and blood glucose plays an increasingly greater role in meeting the body’s energy demands. To keep up with this greatly elevated demand for glucose, liver glycogen stores become rapidly depleted. When the liver is out of glycogen, you’ll “bonk” as your blood glucose level dips too low, and the resulting hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) will further slow you down. Foods that you eat or drink during exercise that supply carbohydrate can help delay the depletion of muscle glycogen and prevent hypoglycemia. Fat is the body’s most concentrated source of energy, providing more than twice as much potential energy as carbohydrate or protein (9 calories per gram versus 4 calories each per gram).

During exercise, stored fat in the body (in the form of triglycerides in adipose or fat tissue) is broken down into fatty acids. These fatty acids are transported through the blood to muscles for fuel. This process occurs relatively slowly as compared with the mobilization of carbohydrate for fuel. Fat is also stored within muscle fibers, where it can be more easily accessed during exercise. Unlike your glycogen stores, which are limited, body fat is a virtually unlimited source of energy for athletes. Even those who are lean and mean have enough fat stored in muscle fibers and fat cells to supply up to 100,000 calories—enough for over 100 hours of marathon running! Fat is a more efficient fuel per unit of weight than carbohydrate. Carbohydrate must be stored along with water. Our weight would double if we stored the same amount of energy as glycogen (plus the water that glycogen holds) that we store as body fat. Most of us have sufficient energy stores of fat (adipose tissue or body fat), plus the body readily converts and stores excess calories from any source (fat, carbohydrate, or protein) as body fat. In order for fat to fuel exercise, however, sufficient oxygen must be simultaneously consumed.

The second part of this chapter briefly explains how pace or intensity, as well as the length of time that you exercise, affects the body’s ability to use fat as fuel. As for protein, our bodies don’t maintain official reserves for use as fuel. Rather, protein is used to build, maintain, and repair body tissues, as well as to synthesize important enzymes and hormones. Under ordinary circumstances, protein meets only 5 percent of the body’s energy needs. In some situations, however, such as when we eat too few calories daily or not enough carbohydrate, as well as during latter stages of endurance exercise, when glycogen reserves are depleted, skeletal muscle is broken down and used as fuel. This sacrifice is necessary to access certain amino acids (the building blocks of protein) that can be converted into glucose. Remember, your brain also needs a constant, steady supply of glucose to function optimally. Fuel Metabolism and Endurance Exercise Carbohydrate, protein, and fat each play distinct roles in fueling exercise. Carbohydrate Provides a highly efficient source of fuel—Because the body requires less oxygen to burn carbohydrate as compared to protein or fat, carbohydrate is considered the body’s most efficient fuel source.

Carbohydrate is increasingly vital during high-intensity exercise when the body cannot process enough oxygen to meet its needs. Keeps the brain and nervous system functioning—When blood glucose runs low, you become irritable, disoriented, and lethargic, and you may be incapable of concentrating or performing even simple tasks. Aids the metabolism of fat—To burn fat effectively, your body must break down a certain amount of carbohydrate. Because carbohydrate stores are limited compared to the body’s fat reserves, consuming a diet inadequate in carbohydrate essentially limits fat metabolism. Preserves lean protein (muscle) mass—Consuming adequate carbohydrate spares the body from using protein (from muscles, internal organs, or one’s diet) as an energy source. Dietary protein is much better utilized to build, maintain, and repair body tissues, as well as to synthesize hormones, enzymes, and neurotransmitters. Fat Provides a concentrated source of energy—Fat provides more than twice the potential energy that protein and carbohydrate do (9 calories per gram of fat versus 4 calories per gram of carbohydrate or protein).

Helps fuel low- to moderate-intensity activity—At rest and during exercise performed at or below 65 percent of aerobic capacity, fat contributes 50 percent or more of the fuel that muscles need. Aids endurance by sparing glycogen reserves—Generally, as the duration or time spent exercising increases, intensity decreases (and more oxygen is available to cells), and fat is the more important fuel source. Stored carbohydrate (muscle and liver glycogen) are subsequently used at a slower rate, thereby delaying the onset of fatigue and prolonging the activity. Protein Provides energy in late stages of prolonged exercise—When muscle glycogen stores fall, as commonly occurs in the latter stages of endurance activities, the body breaks down amino acids found in skeletal muscle protein into glucose to supply up to 15 percent of the energy needed. Provides energy when daily diet is inadequate in total calories or carbohydrate—In this situation, the body is forced to rely on protein to meet its energy needs, leading to the breakdown of lean muscle mass. How Is Excess Glucose Stored? | LIVESTRONG.COM How Is Excess Glucose Stored?

by KATIE VANN Last Updated: Aug 16, 2013 Katie Vann Katie Vann has shared her passion for fitness and nutrition by writing professionally since 2006. She is a certified personal trainer and holistic health enthusiast. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from the University of Wisconsin. Common table sugar in the form of sucrose is broken down into glucose. Photo Credit cristal-glass sugar-bowl and white sugar image by Maria Brzostowska from <a href="">Fotolia.com</a> The human body has an efficient and complex system of storing and preserving energy. Glucose is a type of sugar that the body uses for energy. Glucose is the product of breaking down carbohydrates into their simplest form. Carbohydrates should make up approximately 45 to 65 percent of your daily caloric intake, according to MayoClinic.com. Food Sources of Glucose Glucose is a simple sugar found in carbohydrates. When more complex carbohydrates such as polysaccharides and disaccharides are broken down in the stomach, they break down into the monosaccharide glucose.

Carbohydrates serve as the primary energy source for working muscles, help brain and nervous system functioning and help the body use fat more efficiently. Function of Glucose Once carbohydrates are absorbed from food, they are carried to the liver for processing. In the liver, fructose and galactose, the other forms of sugar, are converted into glucose. Some glucose gets sent to the bloodstream while the rest is stored for later energy use. Stored Glucose Once glucose is inside the liver, glucose is phosphorylated into glucose-6-phosphate, or G6P. G6P is further metabolized into triglycerides, fatty acids, glycogen or energy. Glycogen is the form in which the body stores glucose. The liver can only store about 100 g of glucose in the form of glycogen. The muscles also store glycogen. Muscles can store approximately 500 g of glycogen. Because of the limited storage areas, any carbohydrates that are consumed beyond the storage capacity are converted to and stored as fat. There is practically no limit on how many calories the body can store as fat. Liver Glycogen The glucose stored in the liver serves as a buffer for blood glucose levels.

Therefore, if the blood glucose levels start to get low because you have not consumed food for a period of time, the liver is able to release glucose into the bloodstream to maintain healthy levels. Blood glucose levels are tightly regulated because glucose is the primary energy source for the central nervous system. Blood glucose also is important for sustaining brain functioning. If the body reserves of glucose deplete, a process called gluconeogenesis will take place. During gluconeogenesis, glucose is synthesized from molecules that are not carbohydrates. Often, this means the body will break down muscle fibers to obtain the molecules to produce glucose. Muscle Glycogen Muscle glycogen reserves are stored energy for the muscles. The glycogen is able to be broken back down into glucose when the muscle contracts and requires energy. The body is able to store 500 g of glycogen, roughly equivalent to 2,000 calories, in the muscles. Therefore, if you did not eat for a day, you will have drastically depleted these stores. After an intense workout, when these glycogen stores have been tapped into, consuming carbohydrates will replenish these reserves. Related Searches Lose Weight.

Feel Great Change your life with MyPlate by LIVESTRONG.COM GOAL Gain 2 pounds per week Gain 1.5 pounds per week Gain 1 pound per week Gain 0.5 pound per week Maintain my current weight Lose 0.5 pound per week Lose 1 pound per week Lose 1.5 pounds per week Lose 2 pounds per week GENDER How Our Bodies Turn Food Into Energy Classes & Events How Our Bodies Turn Food Into Energy All parts of the body (muscles, brain, heart, and liver) need energy to work. This energy comes from the food we eat. Our bodies digest the food we eat by mixing it with fluids (acids and enzymes) in the stomach. When the stomach digests food, the carbohydrate (sugars and starches) in the food breaks down into another type of sugar, called glucose. The stomach and small intestines absorb the glucose and then release it into the bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream, glucose can be used immediately for energy or stored in our bodies, to be used later. However, our bodies need insulin in order to use or store glucose for energy. Without insulin, glucose stays in the bloodstream, keeping blood sugar levels high.

How the Body Makes Insulin Insulin is a hormone made by beta cells in the pancreas. Beta cells are very sensitive to the amount of glucose in the bloodstream. Normally beta cells check the blood's glucose level every few seconds and sense when they need to speed up or slow down the amount of insulin they're making and releasing. When someone eats something high in carbohydrates, like a piece of bread, the glucose level in the blood rises and the beta cells trigger the pancreas to release more insulin into the bloodstream. See Illustration: How Insulin Works Insulin Opens Cell Doors When insulin is released from the pancreas, it travels through the bloodstream to the body's cells and tells the cell doors to open up to let the glucose in. Once inside, the cells convert glucose into energy to use right then or store it to use later. As glucose moves from the bloodstream into the cells, blood sugar levels start to drop. The beta cells in the pancreas can tell this is happening, so they slow down the amount of insulin they're making. At the same time, the pancreas slows down the amount of insulin that it's releasing into the bloodstream. When this happens, the amount of glucose going into the cells also slows down.

Balancing Insulin and Blood Sugar for Energy The rise and fall in insulin and blood sugar happens many times during the day and night. The amount of glucose and insulin in our bloodstream depends on when we eat and how much. When the body is working as it should, it can keep blood sugar at a normal level, which is between 70 and 120 milligrams per deciliter. However, even in people without diabetes, blood sugar levels can go up as high as 180 during or right after a meal. Within two hours after eating, blood sugar levels should drop to under 140. After several hours without eating, blood sugar can drop as low as 70. Using glucose for energy and keeping it balanced with just the right amount of insulin — not too much and not too little — is the way our bodies maintain the energy needed to stay alive, work, play, and function even as we sleep. Insulin Helps Our Bodies Store Extra Glucose Insulin helps our cells convert glucose into energy, and it helps our bodies store extra glucose for use later.

For example, if you eat a large meal and your body doesn't need that much glucose right away, insulin will help your body store it to convert to energy later. Insulin does this by turning the extra food into larger packages of glucose called glycogen. Glycogen is stored in the liver and muscles. Insulin also helps our bodies store fat and protein. Almost all body cells need protein to work and grow. The body needs fat to protect nerves and make several important hormones. Fat can also be used by the body as an energy source. How Diabetes Changes the Way This Works With diabetes, the body has stopped making insulin, has slowed down the amount of insulin it's making, or is no longer able to use its own insulin very well. When this happens, it can lead to several things. For example, glucose cannot enter the cells where it's needed, so the amount of glucose in the bloodstream continues to rise. This is called hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). When blood sugar levels reach 180 or higher, the kidneys try to get rid of the extra sugar through the urine. This makes a person urinate more than usual.

It also makes a person feel thirstier because of the water he or she is losing by urinating so much. When a person loses sugar in the urine, it's the same as losing energy because the sugar isn't available for the cells to use or store. When this happens, a person might feel tired, lose weight, and feel hungry all the time. Other problems caused by high blood sugar include blurry vision and skin infections or injuries that don't heal. Women might have vaginal yeast infections more often. When the body doesn't have enough insulin to help convert sugar into energy, it often starts burning body fat instead. This sounds like it might work well, but burning too much fat for energy produces a byproduct called ketones. High levels of ketones can lead to a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which can be life threatening if not treated quickly. DKA is more common in type 1 diabetes because the body has stopped making insulin. Keep Blood Sugar Levels Under Control For a person with diabetes, the main focus of treatment is to control the amount of glucose in the body so that blood sugar levels stay as close to normal as possible.

People with type 1 diabetes need insulin shots as part of their care plan to control their blood sugar levels. Some people with type 2 diabetes can control their blood sugar levels with a healthy diet and exercise. However, many people with type 2 diabetes will need to include diabetes pills, insulin shots, or both in their diabetes care plans. People with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes need to pay close attention to how blood sugar levels change at various times throughout the day in order to keep them as close to normal as possible. When blood sugar levels are close to normal, it means the body is getting the energy it needs to work, play, heal, and stay healthy. Clinical review by David McCulloch, MD Group Health

Question: Which organ in the body stores excess sugar as glycogen?
Answer: Liver