The content in this article should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider regarding your individual health needs.
That delicious breakfast you enjoyed from this morning undergoes an incredible transformation inside your body, turning into the energy you need to power through your day. There’s some really cool science behind this, and it’s worth a few-minute read to take a quick tour behind the curtain.
Understanding your body’s energy engine
Your body’s digestive system is what breaks food down into a usable form of energy – consisting of glucose, lipids, and amino acids. These nutrients are then metabolized to break down glucose to feed our brain, bodies, and produce energy. Several factors influence your metabolism, including age, gender, activity level, genetics, body composition (the ratio of fat to muscle), and hormone status.
The general rule of thumb is that more muscle tissue and less adipose (fat) tissue can lead to better glucose metabolism and less insulin resistance. Why? Because muscles are like energy-hungry engines that help your body manage glucose more efficiently.
Glucose: the body’s fuel
Proteins and carbohydrates from your diet are broken down into glucose, the primary fuel for your body. Our ability to manage this glucose is vital for overall health. Efficient glucose metabolism ensures that we have a constant supply of energy, whether we're active, resting, or haven't eaten for a while.
Glucose metabolism encompasses several steps, and each plays an important role in how your body uses and stores energy. We can break it down like this:
1. Glycolysis: the energy release
Glycolysis is the first step in glucose metabolism, happening mainly in the liver. Here, enzymes break down glucose at the cellular level, releasing energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). If your body doesn't need immediate energy, it stores this energy as glycogen, a form of glucose storage.
2. Gluconeogenesis: making glucose from scratch
When your body runs low on glucose, it can create more from non-carbohydrate sources like lactate, fat, and amino acids through a process called gluconeogenesis. This primarily happens in the liver but can also occur in the kidneys, intestines, and muscle tissue. Think of it as your body’s backup plan for maintaining energy levels.
3. Glycogenolysis: tapping into reserves
During fasting or between meals, your body taps into its glucose reserves through glycogenolysis. The pancreas releases a hormone called glucagon, which signals the liver to break down stored glycogen into glucose, ensuring a steady energy supply even when you haven't eaten for a while.
4. Glycogenesis: stocking up on energy
When you consume more carbohydrates than your body needs for immediate energy, it stores the excess through glycogenesis. During this process, extra carbohydrates in the liver are converted into glycogen, which can be called upon when energy levels drop later.
You’re now a certified metabolism nerd
Understanding these processes a little more in depth, it’s hard not to appreciate the incredible journey a meal takes through your body to keep you energized and healthy. Knowing how your body uses and stores food as energy can help you can stay motivated and make healthier lifestyle choices.
Curated & reviewed by: Kristyn Milburn
MSN, NP-C, BC-ADM, CDCES
MSN, NP-C, BC-ADM, CDCES
Kristyn Milburn is a dedicated nurse practitioner and diabetes care and education specialist, holding board certification in advanced diabetes management.
