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A member of the eight glyconutrients family, glucose is the most
popular essential sugar present almost anywhere. Glucose is described
simply as a monosaccharide that is the most important source of
energy for plants and animals.
When ingested orally, glucose is absorbed through the intestines
and is then reabsorbed by the kidneys by way of a specific transporter
(member proteins) that enters blood-tissue barriers.
The nature of glucose is that the sugar can be absorbed readily
while quickly distributed to all parts of the body through the bloodstream.
Many factors influence glucose absorption. One is meal composition,
rate of gastric emptying, intestinal hormones and intestinal blood
flow. When carbohydrates retard proper glucose absorption, some
known disorders follow such as diarrhea, gas, bloating, and other
discomforts that in turn disorient digestive enzymes.
Similar with the other glyconutrients, glucose is excreted through
the kidneys via the urine. Glucose found in urine is minimal since
98-percent of filtered glucose is recycled in the proximal tubules
of the kidneys. Marked increase in glucose (up to seven fold) is
highly pronounced with diabetics since blood glucose levels exceed
those recycled by the kidney transporter. Glucose in newborns or
infants is excreted as complex carbohydrates found in stool.
Since it is easily absorbed into the bloodstream, hospitals, athletes
and sports enthusiasts find practical use for glucose since it serves
as a potent energy source, thereby addressing questions about muscular
fatigue. While normal amounts of glucose enhances memory functions,
stimulates calcium absorption and increases intra-cellular communication;
excessive amounts (glucose) can raise insulin levels that could
trigger obesity and diabetes while a drop in the regular volume
of glucose in the body can cause hypoglycemia and insulin shocks
or diabetic coma.
Glucose is essential to proper brain function as clinical research
show. However, when there is abnormal glucose metabolism, disorders
such as depression, manic depression, anorexia and bulimia becomes
apparent. Moreover, reduced levels of glucose were often observed
with patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease, much lower than
any other brain malfunction malady mentioned above, that may have
been a consequence of a stroke and other cardiovascular diseases.
Experts suggest for patients take a 75-gram glucose supplement to
increase performance in memory drills and to be able to perform
a wide range of cognitive tasks.
Once glucose is absorbed into the liver, it reduces the secretion
of glucagons that promotes increased glucose intake of muscles and
fat tissue cells. When chewable glucose tablets were administered
to a smoker, it reduced significantly the urge to smoke, a pattern
revealing the gluco-regulation link to cigarette and Nicotine cravings.
In other research work, clinical scientists discovered that the
same theory is applicable even with alcoholics.
In terms of glucose consumption, North Americans top the list with
an average consumption rate that is above 4 times the recommended
limit. Over consumption of this essential sugar suppresses the immune
system and drastically reduces the body's ability to fight diseases.
How much glucose is required by the body to survive? The answer
will depend on the requirement pertinent with an individual. There
are activities that may need more such as alcohol intake, antibiotics
or microbial foods taken, and metabolic energy requirement. But
one thing is sure, only a few are ever deficient in glucose.
As mentioned at the onset, glucose is abundant in the average diet.
The list of natural foods with sufficient glucose content include
honey, grapes, bananas, cherries, strawberries, mangoes, cocoa,
aloe vera, licorice herb, sarsaparilla, hawthorn, garlic, kelp and
Echinacea.
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