Does the human body need glycerol?

Question
QUESTION: Hi:

Do we need glycerol? For what? Can our bodies produce it or do we need to take it from foods? What are the symptoms -- if any -- of glycerol deficiency?

I am aware that glycerol can be obtained from digestion of fats. During digestion, fats are broken down to fatty acids and glycerol.

If this is out of your expertise, would you mind steering me to person or group who could answer this question?


Thanks,

Green

ANSWER: Hi Green,
Thank you for choosing All Experts. Glycerol (gly/glu-sugar) is used in the metabolism process. It is sugars that are stored in your "muscles". This gets into kinesiology. Fast twitch and slow twitch muscles, muscle fibers, etc. A lack of glycerol can be very serious if left untreated. First, glycerol shortages can cause chronic muscle fatigue, muscle spasms,lack of muscle definition, and thus fluctuating body weight and definition. Glycerol is often most useful when consumed with water. Water provides the oxygenation and mitochondria exchange for muscle performance and glycerol provides the "fuel" for each specific muscle you work.
It is kind of like glucose. If you dont have simple sugars in your body......your entire body will weaken. If you dont have glycerol, your muscles will not get as much out of a work out as you would like.

I hope this is helpful for you. If you need any further information, please feel free to contact me.

Thank you again for choosing all experts.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Can抰 the body be healthy by just using glucose for energy and still not having any glycerol in it?

Obviously glucose is a must for energy. All parts of the body, especially the brain, require glucose for normal functioning.

I never knew the body needed glycerol though, I thought it was just a type of alcohol derived from the breakdown of fats.

Does the body need glycerol for anything other than energy?


Thanks,

Green

Answer
First thank you for the reply. Second of all......accept my apologies. I was thinking of glycogen which is stored for energy in the liver and muscles. Thanks for bringing that to my attention. Glycerol is the by product of the break down of fatty substances

In reference to such, I tend to lean towards certain uses of glycerol but recommend that it is done so in moderation.

glycerol plays a number of important roles in the body.
One example, phosphoglycerides, (which is a glycerol backbone bonded with two fatty acid chains and another alcohol), are an important parts of cell membranes.

Glycerol is also to store fatty acids in the body in this process. Three fatty acid chains are chemically bonded to ONE glycerol molecule ?that forms what is known as a  憈riglyceride?

Pure glycerol is a sweet-tasting clear syrup like liquid which, is able to increase their concentration when combined with water or water based solutions. Because the human body requires the osmolarity of body fluids to remain fairly constant, ingesting glycerol stimulates the absorption and retention of water in order to counter the increase in osmolarity that would otherwise occur.

In other words, glycogen is required for body metabolism, not glycerol. Glycerol is a suppliment to improve hydration which naturally increases concentration and proper coordination between mental and physical neurotransmissions.

I hope this helps.

Thank you for bringing it to my attention or I would have further overlooked it.

Feel free to message me back if you need any further information and thank you again for choosing all experts.

Zachory Lee Cook
CPT/CFI, CSFI, CSN
IFA CIN: 209967

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