What does the hormone insulin do?

Oh, insulin. That’s the hormone that people with diabetes are always talking about. But do you really know what it does? Let me break it down for you in a way that won’t put you to sleep (hopefully).

Introduction

Insulin is made by your pancreas and its job is to help regulate your blood sugar levels. This might not sound like a big deal, but trust me, it’s super important.

Blood Sugar Levels 101

Your body needs energy to keep running smoothly. Think of your cells as little engines that require fuel (in the form of glucose) to keep those pistons pumping. Glucose comes from the foods we eat and drink—like carbs—which get broken down into smaller molecules during digestion.

Your bloodstream carries this glucose around your body until it reaches your cells where they can grab what they need for energy production (think Pac-Man gobbling up dots). The amount of glucose in our bloodstream at any given time is called our blood sugar level.

So How Does Insulin Fit In?

Insulin acts as sort of an usher, directing excess glucose out of our bloodstream and into storage facilities called fat cells or muscle tissue—where it can be used later when energy demands are high (kinda like hoarding snacks for a rainy day). By getting rid of extra sugar floating around in the blood stream too long – insulin keeps us all calm cool & collected [fist bump]

Increased Blood Sugar Level = High Alert!

When we chow down on lots of sweets or other high-carb meals without burning off their calories through exercise/activity – our “Pancreatic Ushers” go into overdrive! For non-diabetics this additional insulin helps reduce higher than average spikes caused by junk food splurges

But sometimes things don’t work right 🙁 Diabetes affects nearly 30 million people in the US alone, and is marked by a malfunctioning pancreas that doesn’t produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar–resulting in abnormally high levels (cue panic mode).

Types of Diabetes

  • Type 1: The immune system violently attacks and destroys pancreatic cells responsible for making insulin; individuals must take daily (self-inject) insulin shots.
  • Type 2: The body gradually loses its ability to process glucose overtime. Genetic predisposition, as well as lifestyle factors, including lack of exercise & unhealthy diets play a role.

So now you see why keeping Insulin working properly is such an important issue!

How Does Insulin Work In Our Body?

Let me give you a little sneak peak about how this molecule does its job:

Upon eating food your digestive tract delivers glucose from digested carbohydrates into our bloodstream [do dooo~]. This causes the pancreas to release appropriate amount of insulin directly into bloodstream [impressive!]

And when everything’s functioning correctly…

Step by Step/Hormonal message through the day

Insulin Regulation Process

Phewf…that’s complicated – but basically both our hormones—which helps regulate glucose—and our food intake work together so we can have balanced blood sugar levels throughout the day avoiding any major health problems.

What Happens When Insulin Isn’t Produced Correctly?

We all know diabetes folks need help with maintaining their blood Sugar Levels using available medication like metformin & insulins; But did you know that fluctuations begin years before doctors diagnose someone with prediabetes or even diabetes? Mind Blown

If normal beta cell function falters via −various mechanisms−related Hypo-(low)/Hyper(high)-glycemia will arise ultimately leading towards life-threatening conditions if unchecked.[Oh the horror]

Symptoms of Hyperglycemia & Hypoglycemia

Hyperglycemia

(a fancy word for sugar highs):
– Thirstiness
– Urination frequently
– weight loss
– gradually harder erections [Surprise! Men with Diabetes take note]

Hypoglycaemia:

(think Sugar crash)
– shakiness/trembling, imagine trying to write on homework after 6 cups of coffee
– palpitations
– sweating profusely unsightly pit-stains anyone?
– anxiety/nervousness

Crazy right?

A Little Insulin Goes a Long Way

Like many things in life: “quality over quantity”. For our health it’s better not have excessive/more than necessary amount floating around. Healthy individuals generally secrete enough insulin when needed–however taking too much can cause side effects like hypoglycaemic shock. [Gulp nobody wants that.]

Benefits Of Insulin Therapy In Diabetes Patients

For diabetes patients who do require treatments – injectable insulin may be lifesaving/sustaining but did you know this treatment has numerous benefits beyond controlling blood glucose levels?
Other benefits include:

  1. REDUCED TRIGLYCERIDE LEVELS WHICH IMPROVE CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH[woot woot]
  2. BETTER FUNCTION OF NEURONS/CELL MEMBRANES[Smart move]
  3. SUPPRESSION OF GLUCOSE PRODUCTION FROM LIVER(Regularizing Glucose output, how neat is that?)
  4. INHIBITION OF FAT BREAK-DOWN IN MUSCLE((Fats should stay up tucked away inside those fat cells–or else…)

These are just some of the reasons why having proper amounts (whether natural or administered) maintains a healthy lifestyle.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Insulin plays a vital role in proper glucose regulation within our bodies. While it might sound like a minor detail we shouldn’t take it for granted! High levels or low levels of this hormone can result in Hyperglycemia and hypoglycaemia respectively–leading to chronic conditions if uncontrolled.

So hey—why not give your pancreas some extra love by enjoying foods that promote steady blood sugar levels such as non-starchy veggies, high fiber foods and indulging ourselves with the occasional treat keeping everything copacetic? [Sound advice there matey 😉]

-insulin out-

Random Posts