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Diabetes Words to Know

Definition: Fats

The body uses fat as a fuel source, and fat is the major storage form of energy in the body.

Definition: Fatty Acids

Fatty acids are the building blocks of the fat in our bodies and in the food we eat.

Definition: Glucagon

Glucagon is a hormone that raises the level of glucose (a type of sugar) in the blood.

Definition: Glucose

Glucose is the main type of sugar in the blood and is the major source of energy for the body's cells.

Definition: Glycemic Index

The glycemic index measures how fast and how much a food raises blood glucose levels.

Definition: Glycogen

When the body doesn't need to use the glucose for energy, it stores it in the liver and muscles. This stored form of glucose is made up of many connected glucose molecules and is called glycogen.

Definition: Glycosylated Hemoglobin Test (Hemoglobin A1c)

The glycosylated hemoglobin test shows what a person's average blood glucose level was for the 2 to 3 months before the test. This can help determine how well a person's diabetes is being controlled over time.

Definition: Hormones

Hormones are chemical substances that act like messenger molecules in the body.

Definition: Hyperglycemia

Hyperglycemia occurs when the level of glucose in the blood is higher than it should be.

Definition: Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia occurs when the level of glucose in the blood is lower than it should be.