Glucose Recycling and Obesity and Diabetes

Surplus glucose is the precipitating factor of obesity and diabetes type 2. Ingestion of glucose rich foods like Rice, Potatoes,Bread, Bakeries and table sugar is the primary factor in precipitating obesity and diabetes in genetically predisposed people.

Although all foods can produce energy in the human cell after entering its energy house -mitochondria-, yet it is only glucose that can be fermented to produce energy without Oxygen, before it enters the mitochondria to be oxidised to produce energy, consequently, it is the
indispensable energy source for some tissues that can not accommodate lack of energy like nerves and muscles.

By virtue, the human metabolism is adjusted so that glucose can never be deficient for these tissues, and it is so designed that the skeleton of glucose molecule formed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen is available in all food categories, and except fats which would stress respiration by taking a lot of oxygen- had it required to form glucose-, actually carbohydrates, proteins, and glycerol split from fats, all can be recycled to produce glucose.

Moreover, the muscle stores some glucose in the form of animal starch-glycogen- and it never releases glucose into circulation, rather it releases amino acids resulting from break-down of muscle protein under extreme conditions. The brain stores its glucose in the blood-ready for use- and it keeps its concentrations within a narrow range. Finally, the liver recycle all nutrients susceptible to recycling to replenish its glycogen store on a daily basis.

For glucose to produce energy, it should enter first into the cell and this entry is controlled through Insulin hormone, and once insulin secretion is inefficient or the cell responds to it below normal response,
a plenty of glucose is circulating in the blood without broken down, this surplus glucose is either involved in what is called -glycation-reactions
which can deteriorate blood vessels and participate in other aging phenomena, or it is built-up into fats.

Some diet plans make use of this theory and cut down carbohydrate intake, thus the body is forced to recycle other metabolites to produce glucose needed.

Glucose is as sweet for our bodies in the thin and thick, as money is sweet for our children to feel some freedom, yet as soon as they become
largely abundant, money spoils the kids and glucose spoils our bodies.

Biology is full of such easy yet unachievable missions!