Glycogenesis

Glycogenesis is a biochemical process of glycogen synthesis in the body, which mainly occurs in the liver and muscles.

Glycogen serves as a reserve carbohydrate that the body uses as an energy source when needed.

Glycogenesis begins with a molecule of glucose, which is phosphorylated and converted into glucose-6-phosphate. This is followed by a series of reactions that result in the formation of glycogen.

This process requires energy in the form of ATP and the involvement of specific enzymes.

Glycogenesis on a Ketogenic Diet

On a ketogenic diet, the glycogenesis process is significantly slowed down due to reduced intake of glucose from food.

The decreased activity of glycogenesis on a ketogenic diet has several consequences:

• Reduction in the volume of glycogen reserves in the liver and muscles.
• Faster entry into ketosis as the body has to use fat stores as the primary source of energy.
• Reduction in body water weight as glycogen binds water in the body.