Blood sugar, also known as glucose, is a form of sugar that circulates in the bloodstream, providing energy to all the body's cells. Glucose comes from three sources, the food you eat, metabolism, and what's stored in fat. The amount of glucose in our blood is carefully regulated by a series of tissues and organs—the liver, pancreas, and kidneys.
These organs play a role in ensuring there is always enough blood sugar for the body to function. They monitor how much sugar is available, when you need more, and when you have enough in your bloodstream.
Glucose made from carbohydrates is the most common source of blood sugar. It's produced in the liver using glycogen, a chain of glucose molecules connected by chemical bonds to form long strands. Once released into the bloodstream, this glucose can be used immediately for energy production or stored for later use.
The two other sources of blood glucose include the breakdown of fat molecules and specific proteins made by the body from amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. These substances can be converted into glucose when needed.