Glucose comes from the Greek word for “sweet.” It is the main type of sugar in the blood and is the major source of energy for the body’s cells.Glucose comes from the foods we eat. Food travels down the esophagus to the stomach. There, acids and enzymes break it down into tiny pieces and, during that process glucose is released. From there, it goes into your intestines where it’s absorbed and passes into your bloodstream. As it travels through your bloodstream, it’s called “blood glucose” or blood sugar. Insulin then helps glucose get from your bloodstream into your cells so your body can use it for energy. Glucose and A1CThe A1c test (also called the hemoglobin A1c or the HbA1c test) is a blood test that can detect your average blood sugar levels over the past 3 months. When glucose first enters your bloodstream, it attaches to hemoglobin, the part of a red blood cell that carries oxygen. An A1c test measures the percentage of hemoglobin in your blood that’s glycated (coated with sugar). The more glucose in your blood, the higher your A1c. And the higher your A1c, the weaker your body’s blood sugar control.Obesity can make it harder for the body to control blood sugar levels and use insulin, which can lead to high blood glucose levels and an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
