Glucose

What is glucose?

Glucose is a monosaccharide, i.e. a simple sugar. It consists of a ring of six carbon atoms to which hydrogen and oxygen atoms are attached. Glucose is the most common sugar in nature and is found in many plants and fruits. It is also called glucose or dextrose.

Glucose is an important part of our diet because it provides our cells with energy. When you or your dog eats something that contains glucose, it is broken down in the digestive tract and absorbed into the blood. There it is regulated by a hormone called insulin, which ensures that the glucose enters the cells or is stored as glycogen. Glycogen is a type of storage sugar that is found in the liver and muscles.

Glucose is particularly important for the brain, as it can only work with glucose. That's why you and your dog need a constant glucose level in the blood to stay awake and alert. If the blood glucose level is too low, symptoms such as weakness, trembling, confusion or unconsciousness can occur. This is known as hypoglycemia.

Benefits of glucose for dogs

Glucose has several benefits for dogs, especially if they are physically active or suffer from certain diseases. Here are some examples:

• Glucose can improve the performance of dogs that do a lot of exercise or compete. It can help them last longer and recover faster.
• Glucose can help dogs suffering from diabetes mellitus. This is a metabolic disease in which the body does not produce enough insulin or does not respond to it properly. As a result, the blood sugar level rises too high, which can lead to various complications. Dogs with diabetes usually have to inject insulin and follow a special diet. However, it can sometimes happen that the blood sugar level drops too low, for example due to too much insulin or too little food. Glucose can then be used as an emergency measure to help raise the blood sugar level again.
• Glucose can help dogs with liver disease. The liver is responsible for storing and releasing glycogen. If the liver is damaged, it can no longer fulfill this function properly. This can lead to a lack of glucose in the blood, especially at night or during prolonged fasting. Glucose supplements can then help to keep blood sugar levels stable.

Disadvantages of glucose for dogs

However, glucose also has some disadvantages for dogs, especially if they get too much of it or cannot utilize enough. Here are some examples:

• Glucose can lead to overweight and obesity in dogs if they take in more calories than they can burn. This in turn can lead to various health problems such as joint problems, cardiovascular disease or diabetes.
• Glucose can lead to tooth decay and gingivitis in dogs.