Glycogen - what is it? Sooner or later, this question is asked by everyone who is engaged in the gym. Despite? that the word seems to be some kind of sophisticated scientific term, its meaning is simple. In our publication today, we will talk in detail about the formation of glycogen and its significance for the human body. Interested in? Then start reading it soon!
Glycogen - what is it?
We will not beat around the bush, but immediately answer your question. Glycogen is a complex carbohydrate made up of glucose molecules. Glucose, in turn, enters the body with food. When there is too much of it, the body converts excess carbohydrates to glycogen.
What happens next? For example, when performing physical exercises, the glucose level drops, as the body spends a lot of energy. So that the natural balance is not disturbed, the body, using special enzymes, proceeds to break down glycogen. As a result of this process, glucose levels normalize. Thanks to glycogen, our organs and muscles get enough glucose to produce energy.
General information
Muscle glycogen - what does it mean? Many do not realize that there is a slight misconception in this matter. It is believed that glycogen stores are only in the muscles, which is not entirely correct. In fact, this complex carbohydrate is synthesized in the liver, and if there is no developed muscle depot, then it is distributed from there. Glycogen is actually pure sugar that provides energy to our entire body.
The role of glycogen is difficult to overestimate:
- energy background of the synthesis of hormones and enzymes;
- increase in energy reserves for muscle activity;
- transportation of useful elements through the circulatory system, and from there to the internal organs;
- regulation of blood sugar;
- use as an energy source in anaerobic mode;
- ensuring normal liver function.
Glycogen metabolism
What is the principle of glycogen exchange? With a small glycemic load, carbohydrates - starch and sugar - enter the body. Regardless of the glycemic index of the consumed products, after the usual process of digestion, all these substances enter our blood in the form of simple glucose. Glucose, by the way, is transported through the same cells as oxygen. An increase in its level leads to a thickening of the plasma. Because of this, pumping blood through the heart is difficult, and the load on the entire circulatory system increases.
So that the blood does not become thick, the body starts processes aimed at lowering sugar levels. This happens as follows: the chains that are usually occupied by water molecules are replaced by dilapidated glucose molecules. Thus, a sequential chain is created. To carry out this process, the body transports all sugar to the organ, which contains a large amount of blood, and which cleanses it - to the liver.
What is glycogen for?
It is already known that glycogen is a complex carbohydrate. But why does the body need it? Glycogen molecules in muscles appear only when the human body needs a constant and fast energy source.
During severe physical exertion, the process of expansion of muscle mitochondria occurs, and the free space is filled with glycogen. Under the influence of blood, glycogen starts to oxidize again, breaking down to simple sugar. But the energy received does not enter the general blood system, but is split immediately. After all, the body needs additional energy during physical exertion, and therefore quickly consumes it.
By the way, here we can highlight an interesting point: it is the level of endurance of an athlete directly depends on glycogen. Have you ever noticed that bodybuilders are several times tougher than powerlifters? And this despite the fact that the muscles of the second look more attractive, although they do not have more power. Why is this happening? This is all due to glycogen, which causes the processes of hypertrophy of muscle tissues and is distributed within them. When the body does not have enough strength to perform the exercises, it begins to break down glycogen not from the liver, but directly from the muscles. For crossfit athletes, this process is completely different, because the essence of their sports activities is the modernization and rationalization of energy processes.
Glycogenosis
There are people whose body is not able to break down glycogen. This is a pathological condition that belongs to the group of autosomal recessive pathologies. It is called "glycogenosis." Today, medicine knows 12 types of this disease, but so far only six of them have been studied.
Now you know that glycogen is a complex carbohydrate that is of particular importance to the human body, especially an athlete. We hope that our article was useful to you!