Glucose is a type of sugar molecule that is essential for energy; it is created through the digestion of carbohydrates from the foods you eat. The body's cells use glucose as a source of fuel, and low levels of this molecule can lead to lethargy, tremors, poor focus and irritability. While glucose is required to prevent these symptoms and to provide energy, there are some disadvantages to glucose.
Insulin Resistance
When foods are broken down into glucose during digestion, the pancreas secretes insulin, which works to get glucose into the cells. Excess glucose may lead to insulin resistance, which is when the body must continue to secrete more and more insulin to take care of the excess glucose. According to the College of the Canyons, high levels of insulin in the bloodstream may put you at risk for heart disease. Additionally, your pancreas may not be able to keep up with the necessary insulin secretion for your glucose levels, and you could develop diabetes.
Ketoacidosis
Too much glucose without enough insulin to control it can result in ketoacidosis. This condition causes the body to use fat because it cannot use glucose, and fat byproducts known as ketones build up. Ketoacidosis can cause rapid breathing, nausea, vomiting, flushed skin and possibly coma, if left untreated. Because the glucose is not being used, blood sugar levels become elevated and excess glucose continues to circulate in the bloodstream. The treatment for this condition involves administering insulin to help the body use excess glucose and restore normal levels.
Brain Power Strain
Brain cells need twice as much energy as other body cells as they create neurotransmitters and communicate with other parts of the body through nerves. Glucose is essential to brain cells, but unlike some other cells in the body, cells in the brain do not have the capacity to store glucose. When you eat foods that are high in carbohydrates and sugar, this causes a rapid spike in blood glucose levels, which may initially make you feel alert. Once the blood sugar has stabilized, though, the brain cells may enter a crisis period because they have not been able to store glucose. This can result in poor concentration, irritability and possibly confusion. Rapid spikes in blood sugar do not provide a balance of glucose for the brain to work consistently.
Weight Gain
Glucose, when uncontrolled, requires insulin to get into the cells and that which isn't used is either converted into glycogen for storage for later use or is changed into fat and stored in the fat cells. While the body does need carbohydrates in the diet to break down into glucose for energy, too many carbohydrate-rich foods, in too large amounts, can lead to excess fat storage when there is too much glucose, ultimately contributing to weight gain.
