Final answer:
If our bodies could not metabolize glucose, it would lead to energy production from fats and proteins, resulting in ketone production and potential ketoacidosis. In diabetes mellitus, this can cause dehydration and other severe health issues. Long-term effects include muscle wasting and severe metabolic dysfunction.
Step-by-step explanation:
If our bodies could not metabolize glucose, this would lead to a number of severe metabolic disturbances. Glucose is a critical energy source for our cells, particularly the brain. Without the ability to utilize glucose, the body would shift to breaking down fats and proteins to meet its energy needs. This shift results in the production of ketone bodies during a process known as ketoacidosis, especially prominent in unmanaged or untreated diabetes mellitus. Overproduction of ketone bodies can result in dangerous changes in blood pH, dehydration, and damage to various organ systems.
In a situation akin to prolonged starvation, if the body can't use glucose, it would start extensive breakdown of body proteins, including muscle tissues, to produce glucose through a process called gluconeogenesis. However, as starvation progresses, the body primarily uses ketones to provide energy, leading to muscle sparing in the short term, but potentially muscle wasting if the starvation persists.
Moreover, managing diabetes involves controlling blood glucose levels through restricted carbohydrate diets, insulin therapy, or other medications. However, without adequate treatment, high levels of blood glucose cause an increase in osmotic pressure leading to frequent urination and excessive thirst, among other symptoms.