What is glycogen?
Glycogen is the storage form of glucose. When there is more glucose than is required in the body, the hormone insulin enables it to be stored in the body for future release – when the body needs it.
The liver and skeletal muscles can convert glucose into glycogen and store it in their tissues. The liver can convert glycogen back into glucose but the skeletal muscles cannot, instead they release it into the bloodstream where glucagon (hormone in the pancreas) converts it to glucose through a process called glycogeneloysis.
Important glycogen facts
- The body needs glycogen as an important energy source
- Glucose is converted into glycogen by the liver and skeletal muscles to be stored until required
- Lack of glycogen causes extreme fatigue and lethargy
Why glycogen is important
Glycogen metabolism (conversion into glucose) is a really important metabolic function, as it ensures that the body uses and stores glucose properly. If glycogen metabolism becomes abnormal, it can lead to diabetes.
Diabetes basically happens when there are excessive levels of insulin which causes liver glycogen to be stored and released in abnormal amounts (too much or too little). When glucose metabolism (and insulin levels) become normal, glycogen metabolism also normalises too.
