What Do Glucose & Triglycerides Have in Common?

Both glucose and triglycerides are vitally necessary to the health of your body. For the most part, you obtain glucose (which is derived from carbohydrates) and triglycerides (which are a type of fat) from the foods you eat.

Function

• Your body is able to convert both glucose and triglycerides into the energy it needs to carry out its operations.

Value

• Glucose and triglycerides are considered to be macronutrients because your body needs a large supply of each of these nutrients.

Significance

• Glucose is your body’s primary fuel source because it is the easiest type of fuel to break down and convert into energy. Your brain, which consumes more energy than any of your body’s other organs, runs most efficiently on the energy produced by glucose. Fat from triglycerides is necessary for energy as well, but fat also provides your body’s organs with insulation and is a central component in the structure of cell membranes.

Type of Compound

• Glucose and triglycerides are both organic compounds, meaning they each contain carbon atoms. The molecular formula of glucose is C6H12O6. Triglycerides consist of three fatty acids, the general formula of which is (CH2)n, and one glycerol molecule (C3H8O3).

Conversion

• Your body is able to easily convert glucose into triglycerides. In fact, excess glucose calories are routinely converted into triglyceride body fat. Your body can also use the glycerol molecule contained in triglycerides to manufacture glucose.