Glucose absorption is a slightly complicated process that the body utilizes to derive energy for your cells. Every cell makes use of glucose, as it is the foundation of your body's energy resource. Whether it is consumed in the form of carbohydrates or whether your body produces it from other sources, such as fats and proteins, you can not survive without glucose.
Glucose Sources
Carbohydrates directly supply glucose to your body in the form of sugars. These sugars can be simple or complex. Simple sugars come from foods such as candy bars, dairy products, fruits, syrup, honey and table sugar. These are absorbed swiftly into the bloodstream and are a quick source of energy. Pasta, rice, potato, bread and vegetables make up complex sugars, which form a longer chain of glucose molecules and need to be broken down before they are released into the circulation.
Absorption Process
Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose molecules by digestion and absorbed into your bloodstream. The circulating glucose molecules need the help of insulin to penetrate your cells. Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas that acts like a key to open the cells and allow the glucose to enter. Once in, the glucose molecule is used as fuel to help your cell complete its function. Only sugar needed by the cells is utilized; the remainder is stored.
Glucose Regulation
According to the Mayo Clinic, when an excess of glucose is circulating in the bloodstream, it is stored in your muscles and liver in the form of glycogen. The hormone insulin causes this to happen in an effort to regulate destructively high blood sugar levels. Conversely, when your blood sugar levels become dangerously low, the stored glycogen is broken down into glucose by another hormone known as glucagon. The glucose is sent to the bloodstream to be used by the cells. If no carbohydrates are eaten, your body has a mechanism of breaking down proteins and fats to produce glucose molecules. This method is known as gluconeogenesis.
Complications
Some people have problems regulating their blood sugar levels. The most common cause is diabetes. With type 1 diabetes your body does not produce insulin and with type 2 your body does not utilize insulin. This means you have to take insulin or some kind of diabetic medication to help glucose get absorbed by your cells. Further problems can arise if you do not manage your food intake in the proper manner. Additional causes of blood sugar imbalances include certain non-diabetic medications, life-threatening illnesses, alcoholism and some endocrine disorders.
Solutions
Although some complications may be unavoidable, several are completely manageable. Diabetes can be controlled with diet, insulin and other diabetic medications. Knowing what to eat and what to avoid, as well as taking the right amount of medication, will keep your blood sugar within safe levels. Too much or too little medication, relative to the amount of circulating glucose, can bring your blood sugar to dangerously unsafe levels. Alcohol use can be reduced or discontinued as a means of regulating circulating blood glucose.
