How your body uses glucose

Glucose, in carbohydrate foods, is your body’s main energy source. Without diabetes, the quantity of glucose in your blood is carefully regulated by two hormones produced by your pancreas. In Type 2 diabetes, this regulating system is impaired and the level of glucose in your blood rises too high. Over time, a high blood glucose level damages your eyes, kidneys, or nerves.

After you eat, glucose enters your bloodstream and, with the help of insulin, is taken up by blood cells. Some glucose is also stored in your liver as glycogen. When your blood glucose level falls, such as after a period without food, glucagon converts glycogen to glucose, and your blood glucose level rises.

Type 2 Diabetes

Your pancreas produces insufficient insulin or produces it too slowly, or your body cells are resistant to it. Your blood glucose rises and cells cannot burn glucose for energy. This leads to diabetes symptoms and, if your glucose level remains high, eventual damage to your eyes, kidneys, or nerves.