What Is Glycogen?

Dr. Jawad talks about 'what is glycogen'.

Glucose is the main source of fuel for our cells. When the body doesn't need to use the glucose for energy, it stores it in the liver and muscles. This stored form of glucose is made up of many connected glucose molecules and is called glycogen.

Glycogen is defined as a glucose storage molecule. Glucose is a monosaccharide (single sugar molecule) that the body uses for energy. Since energy is critical in maintaining the body's daily function, it is important to have a means of energy storage for use between periods of food consumption. Glycogen is one way the body chooses to store energy and the only way it chooses to store glucose. Glycogen belongs to a larger family of macromolecules (large molecules with a high number of atoms) called carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are a group of organic molecules that include sugars, starch, and cellulose.

Glycogen formation exists to store excess sugar that the body is not currently using. As mentioned, energy storage is critical for survival. In times of little to no food consumption (fasting) or high-energy demand (exercise), the body will be able to survive on energy stores. Typically, the body will deplete its glycogen stores before utilizing fat. This is because it is easier for the body to convert glycogen to energy than it is to convert fat.

How is glycogen formed?
Glycogen production occurs through a process called glycogenesis. Glycogenesis is a series of biochemical reactions used to convert singular glucose molecules into glycogen macromolecules. This process is stimulated by the hormone insulin, which signifies that blood sugar levels are too high and must be stored to remove them from the blood.

Once glycogen is formed, it is stored in either the liver or the muscles.

Glycogen is stored in skeletal muscles to allow for easy access during high-energy physical activities like exercise or sports. It is also stored in cardiac muscle to sustain the constant pumping of blood, and to a much lesser degree, smooth muscle to sustain organ function. Recall that glycogen is the preferred energy source because it is easier to break down than fat. It makes sense then that an easily accessible energy source would be placed among muscle cells that need it the most.

When muscles are in need of energy, glycogen is broken down by a process called glycogenolysis. Glycogenolysis is a series of biochemical pathways used to produce singular glucose molecules from glycogen storage.

Dr. Jawad is a Board Certified Chiropractic Neurologist and Acupuncturist. He also is a Diplomat for the American Chiropractic Neurology Board, Fellow of the American College of Functional Neurology as well as Fellow of the International Academy of Medical Acupuncture. He is a Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner. Dr. Jawad's functional medicine in nutrition practice is an outgrowth of the increasing need for natural healthcare solutions which is evident throughout the area.

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DR. JINAAN JAWAD
D.C., DACNB, FACFN, FIAMA, CFMP

Dr. Jinaan Jawad
26W276 Geneva Road Suite C
Carol Stream, IL 60188
630-653-2225
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