• Search:
East Tennessee Children's Hospital
2018 W Clinch Ave
Knoxville, TN 37916

Get Directions | Contact Us

Word! Glycogen

Word! Glycogen


(En español: Glucógeno)

Say: gly-kuh-jen

Most carbohydrates are broken down in the body to a type of sugar called glucose, which is the main source of fuel for our cells. When the body has extra glucose, it stores it in the liver and muscles. This stored form of glucose is called glycogen. Glycogen is like your backup fuel. It releases glucose into the bloodstream when the body needs a quick energy boost or when a person's blood glucose level drops.