Cell performance is really as simple as providing the cell with three essential ingredients: oxygen, water, and:

The correct choice of fuel completes the essential ingredients needed for optimal cell performance. Cells require oxygen for aerobic respiration, which produces energy, and water for various metabolic processes and maintaining homeostasis. Fuel, which can come in the form of glucose or other energy-rich molecules, serves as the primary source of energy that powers cellular functions. Without fuel, even in the presence of oxygen and water, cells would lack the necessary energy to perform their tasks, leading to decreased function or cell death.

In the context of cellular metabolism, glucose is a primary fuel source, allowing cells to generate ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the energy currency of the cell. While proteins, nitrogen, and vitamins are important for various cellular functions and anabolic processes, they do not directly fulfill the immediate energy requirements that fuel provides. Therefore, fuel is a critical component for driving cellular activity and maintaining cell viability.