Where is carbs stored in the body

Glucose is the main carbohydrate that the body breaks down for energy. The major pathway by which glucose is broken down for energy requires oxygen, and the final products are carbon dioxide, water, and energy. In the muscles, if oxygen is in short supply, some glucose can be broken down for energy by a different pathway that does not require oxygen; however, the final products are lactic acid and energy.

Lactic acid builds up in the muscles and causes cramping. Dietary carbohydrates provide glucose that body cells can use for energy. Excess glucose beyond what the body needs for immediate energy is converted into glycogen, a storage form of carbohydrate, or converted into fat and stored in body fat cells.

Glucose provides energy for all body cells. The brain and nerve cells use only glucose for energy. If blood glucose levels fall too low, glycogen is broken down to provide glucose. Since glycogen stores are only enough to provide energy for a short time, the body needs a frequent supply of carbohydrates. Although many cells use fat for energy, the brain, nerve cells, and developing red blood cells can not.

The body cannot convert fat into glucose to a significant degree. Thus, without glucose, the body is forced to break down its protein tissues to make glucose for energy, which can lead to muscle loss.

In addition, when the body uses fat for energy, fat fragments combine to form ketone bodies. Some body cells can use ketone bodies for energy, but if fat is broken down too rapidly, ketone bodies begin to accumulate in the blood. This can cause a serious condition called ketosis that can lead to coma and death. The body needs at least 50 to grams of carbohydrates a day to spare body proteins and prevent ketosis. Foods rich in complex carbohydrates, including grain foods; vegetables; fruits; and beans, peas and lentils, provide valuable vitamins and minerals and little fat in addition to starch and dietary fiber.

A diet rich in complex carbohydrates from these types of food offers many health benefits. This is rare in healthy adults, but can occur in alcoholics, people who are malnourished, and in individuals who have Type 1 diabetes. The minimum amount of carbohydrate in the diet required to inhibit ketosis in adults is 50 grams per day. Without energy none of the other life processes are performed. Although our bodies can synthesize glucose it comes at the cost of protein destruction.

As with all nutrients though, carbohydrates are to be consumed in moderation as having too much or too little in the diet may lead to health problems.

Learning Objectives List four primary functions of carbohydrates in the human body. Energy Production The primary role of carbohydrates is to supply energy to all cells in the body. Energy Storage If the body already has enough energy to support its functions, the excess glucose is stored as glycogen the majority of which is stored in the muscle and liver. Lipid Metabolism As blood-glucose levels rise, the use of lipids as an energy source is inhibited.

Key Takeaways The four primary functions of carbohydrates in the body are to provide energy, store energy, build macromolecules, and spare protein and fat for other uses. Glucose energy is stored as glycogen, with the majority of it in the muscle and liver. The liver uses its glycogen reserve as a way to keep blood-glucose levels within a narrow range between meal times. The presence of adequate glucose in the body spares the breakdown of proteins from being used to make glucose needed by the body.

This signals the beta cells of the pancreas to release insulin into the bloodstream. Insulin helps glucose enter the body's cells to be used for energy. If all the glucose is not needed for energy, some of it is stored in fat cells and in the liver as glycogen. As sugar moves from the blood to the cells, the blood glucose level returns to a normal between-meal range.

When the blood sugar level falls below that range, which may happen between meals, the body has at least three ways of reacting:. Other hormones can raise the blood sugar level, including epinephrine also called adrenaline and cortisol released by the adrenal glands and growth hormone released by the pituitary gland.

Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: E. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.

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