This is a key biological function.
Insulin is critical to your overall health and survival.
This article discusses the relationship between insulin, blood sugar (glucose), and diabetes.
Verywell / Ellen Lindner
The pancreas functions both as an exocrine gland and anendocrine gland.
The exocrine function of the pancreas is to help withdigestion.
The pancreatic cells that produce glucagon are called alpha cells.
A healthy adult pancreas has approximately one million islets, composing about 5% of the entire organ.
How Insulin Works
Insulin is the energy-storage hormone.
The body breaks these nutrients down into sugar molecules, amino acid molecules, and lipid molecules, respectively.
The body also stores and reassembles these molecules into more complex forms.
The digestive system releases glucose from foods and the glucose molecules are absorbed into the bloodstream.
The rising glucose levels signal the pancreas to secrete insulin to clear glucose from the bloodstream.
Insulin receptors exist on almost all tissues in the body, including muscle cells and fat cells.
Excess blood sugar also happens when cells aren’t able to use insulin properlywhat’s known asinsulin resistance.
Insulin resistance can also occur as a result of excess body fat.
Fat Metabolism
Insulin has a major effect on fat metabolism.
Insulin also plays a key role inliver functionand fat cells.
Liver Function
Insulin stimulates the glycogen creation from glucose and its storage in the liver.
High insulin levels cause the liver to get saturated with glycogen.
When this happens, the liver becomes unable to store more.
Then, glucose is instead used to create fatty acids that are converted intolipoproteinsand released into the bloodstream.
These break down into free fatty acids and are used in other tissues.
Some tissues use these to createtriglycerides.
Fat Cells
Insulin stops fat from breaking down and prevents triglycerides from breaking down into fatty acids.
When glucose enters these fat cells, it can be used to create a compound called glycerol.
Protein Metabolism
Insulin helps the amino acids in protein to enter cells.
Without adequate insulin production, this process is hindered, making it difficult to build muscle mass.
Insulin also makes cells more receptive topotassium,magnesium, andphosphate.
Known collectively aselectrolytes, these minerals help conduct electricity within the body.
Recap
Insulin production is part of an endocrine process in the liver that controls blood sugar.
Insulin helps the body break down fats, carbohydrates, and proteins from food to be used for energy.
Diabetes
Diabetes comes in three forms, each with a different cause of high blood sugars.
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemiais low blood sugar.
People with diabetes are especially susceptible, but it can happen in those without diabetes as well.
Other causes of hypoglycemia include:
Hyperglycemia
Hyperglycemia is high blood sugar.
Summary
The pancreas has two key roles: helping with digestion and producing the hormone insulin.
Your body needs insulin to keep blood sugar from getting too high or too low.
Left untreated, these conditions can be very dangerous.
Take your healthcare provider’s advice to heart and never underestimate the impact that lifestyle changes can have.
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