What Is Glucose? Understanding Your Body’s Primary Fuel and How to Keep It Balanced
1. What Is Glucose and Where Does It Come From?
Glucose is a simple sugar and the body’s main energy source. It enters the bloodstream in three main ways:
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Simple sugars from food: Found in fruits, table sugar, and milk
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Complex carbs: From rice, bread, potatoes—digested more slowly
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Internal production:
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Glycogen breakdown from the liver
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Gluconeogenesis: New glucose made from protein when fasting
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2. Why Glucose Is So Important for the Body
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The brain depends almost entirely on glucose
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Muscles use glucose for movement and activity
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Red blood cells rely only on glucose—even without oxygen
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Inside cells, glucose is converted to ATP, the body’s usable energy
Stable glucose means:
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Clear thinking
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Steady energy
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Emotional stability
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Balanced hormones (e.g. insulin, cortisol)
3. What Happens When Glucose Is Too Low (Hypoglycemia)?
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Defined as glucose <3.9 mmol/L
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Symptoms:
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Shakiness, sweating, irritability
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Dizziness, confusion, rapid heartbeat
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In severe cases: seizures, coma
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Common causes:
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Skipping meals
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Excess exercise
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Overuse of insulin
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Drinking alcohol without food
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4. What Happens When Glucose Is Too High (Hyperglycemia)?
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Defined as fasting glucose >7.0 mmol/L
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Symptoms:
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Frequent urination
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Excessive thirst
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Fatigue and blurry vision
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Unexplained weight loss
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Long-term risks:
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Nerve damage
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Vision loss
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Heart disease and stroke
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Kidney failure
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Foot ulcers and infections
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Severe cases: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or hyperosmolar state
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5. Why Stable Blood Glucose Matters for Everyone
Keeping glucose in a healthy range supports:
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Brain and muscle performance
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Energy stability throughout the day
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Hormonal balance and metabolic regulation
It’s not just for people with diabetes—glucose balance benefits everyone who wants to feel better, think clearly, and prevent future health problems.