Why is insulin needed?

Insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar levels in our body, is one of those things we don’t really think about until something goes wrong. But why do we need insulin in the first place? Let’s dive into this essential part of our biology and hilariously examine what it does for us.

What is Insulin?

Insulin is a hormone secreted by your pancreas, an organ tucked behind your stomach. You can appreciate your pancreas more now (Thank me later!). The cells producing insulin are called beta cells – no relation to Beyonce.

Function of Insulin

Can you imagine a key turning on an engine pump when you start your car? Yep! That’s exactly how insulin works “the key to unlock glucose from blood cells” allowing its entry across cell membranes where glucose can be used as energy or stored up for future use like saving money ‘just in case’ and who doesn’t love saving?! This process luckily lowers high blood sugar levels often experienced after consuming food or drink carbohydrates-containing meals around-the-clock.

Let me put it this way: Without insulin…. Imagine yourself driving with Out-of-Fuel indicator flashing all day while still putting gas/diesel at every fuel station because let’s face it; they’ve got good snacks. Now replace Fuel with Glucose and Fuel Station with Eating Food/Beverages…Yeah…not so fun anymore!

In summary
– Your Body consumes Carbs etc.
– Blood Sugar increases
– Pancreases releases insulins
– which tells your liver, muscle & fat tissues to absorb the excess
OR
Store/exercise them efficiently till next mealtime

Can I Survive Without Insulin?

Can you live without insulin Hormone as Jobless Employee uhm……Highly Unlikely! Hmmmm..Where’s Mount Everest?.The reason is, every cell in your body needs glucose to function properly. And this glucose cannot enter the cells without insulin operating as a gate-keeper/control security on excess money at the bank.

Let’s say pancreas decide not to do their job (Beta-cells are up for vacation mood)either because they’ve been attacked by an autoimmune disease such as Type 1 Diabetes or shrivelled due to pancreatic cancer Then High blood sugar (Hyperglycemia) happens and you continue experiencing severe thirst, loss of weight, change in vision..Are we still happy now?We need our Insulin people.

Types of Insulin

Different types of insulins prescribeh
for different kinds of diabetes with many act like Beyonce among themselves. Crazy right! Some examples include:
– Rapid Acting
– Short Acting
– Intermediate Acting
But Let me be even more specific! Below table compares common forms faster than waiting for food/microwave/drinks to get ready:

Type Onset Time Peak Time Duration
Rapid 15 minutes 1 hour 3 -5 hours
Short 30 min 2 -4 hours 6 -8 hours
Intermediate 2 -4 hrs 7hours 19hrs

This will give you an idea how long it takes them all from Job offer letter till first pay check deposit! Phew!!

What Triggers Insulin Secretion?

Insulin secretion occurs mainly when there’s rise in blood glucose level in response to food intake which leads beta-cells reflecting formation almost immediately.We can delve further into this subject though before I lose y ‘all.
There’re a couple of things that prompt your pancreas to pump more insulin into your blood:
– High Blood Sugar
– Foods rich in carbohydrates (e.g. Cake, etc)
– Protein folding
[Who knew Insulin was into Fitness]

Now let’s get nerdy explanation for Th1R (scroll up on what it means) Resembling for example Amino-acid Leucine releases more insulin secretion compared to others Glycogen(A carbohydrate)….Also AA alanaline lowers significantly,Thaat explains a lot!

When is Insulin Needed?

So as long as you take in carbs or high sugar content food like Coca-cola, Gushers,Fruit Juices (lol) Whether naturally occur e.g Apple Juice or Processed ones…I’m talking about you Capri-Sun!!,There will always be the need of its hormone partner “INSULIN” [Endorfins and Dopamine have nothing on them]

Common Diseases Associated with Insulin

Like every Great duo; Ironman(Cupcakes) without Jarvis(Iron-Man Suit)? What would Batman(The Dark Knight) do if he couldn’t confide/talk to Alfred?That’s how several disorders arise when insulin isn’t synthesised properly hence becoming an enemy. Some notorious examples include:

Type I Diabetes

  • Also known as Insulin-dependent Diabetes.
    ### Type 2 Diabetes
  • Most common form linked with inadequate production / Utilisation by body cells

Aaand That concludes my hilarious breakdown all about insulins..You can now check off learning something new today but why stop there right?!What are other fascinating topics we could break down…Hmmm

Random Posts