Muscle Glycogen: How to Optimize Your Body's Ability to Store Energy (Ask a Cycling Coach 257)

TL;DR

Glycogen stores are found in both the liver and muscles. While the liver can circulate glycogen throughout the body, muscle glycogen stays localized and is only utilized by the muscles it is stored in.

Transcript

regarding glycogen stores are the glycogen stores found in muscles used only locally in the muscles in which they are actually stored or is it that glycogen is available to whatever muscles require it and then his he follows up he says if glycogen is available throughout your whole body then what an increase in muscle mass be helpful in increasing ... Read More

Key Insights

• 💪 Glycogen is stored in the liver and muscles, with the liver storing a smaller amount compared to muscles.
• 💪 Muscle glycogen stays localized and is only used by the muscles it is stored in.
• 💪 Training and diet influence the amount of glycogen stored in muscles.
• 💪 Glycogen is stored in the cytosol of muscle cells.
• 🥶 Muscles lack an enzyme to convert glucose from glycogen into free glucose.
• 💪 Excess lactate can be shuttled to nearby muscles or released into the bloodstream.
• 🚚 Lactate in the bloodstream can be converted back into glucose by the liver.

Questions & Answers

Q: Are glycogen stores found only in the muscles they are stored in, or can glycogen be used by other muscles?

Glycogen can be stored in both the liver and muscles. While the liver's glycogen can circulate and be used by any muscle, muscle glycogen stays localized and is only used by the muscles it is stored in.

Q: Can an increase in muscle mass in the upper body help sustain longer efforts by increasing available glycogen?

Increasing muscle mass in the upper body is unlikely to benefit a cyclist, as the glucose stored in the muscles would need to go through a complex process to be utilized by other muscles. It is more beneficial for endurance work to train the muscles being used.

Q: How is glycogen stored in muscles?

Glycogen is stored in the cytosol, the fluid inside muscle cells. It is in the form of chains of glucose molecules. The lack of a certain enzyme in muscle cells means that glucose from glycogen cannot be converted into free glucose.

Q: Can excess lactate in muscles be transferred to other muscles for energy usage?

When muscles cannot keep up with glucose intake, excess lactate can be shuttled to nearby muscle cells, where it is converted back into pyruvate to fuel cell activity. Excess lactate can also be released into the bloodstream and converted back into glucose by the liver.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Glycogen is stored in two main sites in the body: the liver and muscles, with smaller amounts found in other areas such as the brain and blood cells.

• The liver stores a smaller amount of glycogen that can circulate throughout the body, while the muscles can store a larger amount that is used locally.

• Training and diet can influence the amount of glycogen stored in muscles, making it a trainable factor.