Insulin, an important hormone made by the pancreas, is key in controlling blood sugar levels. Here’s how it does its job:
- How Insulin Works Normally:
- Sugar Management: When you eat, your body turns carbs into sugar or glucose. This glucose goes into your blood, making your blood sugar go up.
- Insulin’s Job: When blood sugar goes up, the pancreas makes insulin. Insulin is like a key that lets glucose go into cells, where it’s used for energy.
- Storage: Insulin also helps save extra glucose in the liver as glycogen. Between meals, the liver puts glycogen back into the blood to keep blood sugar stable.
- Diabetes and Insulin:
- In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas stops making insulin. People with type 1 diabetes need insulin from outside to live.
- In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin, or the body doesn’t respond to it. Because of this, blood sugar stays high.
- Insulin Treatment:
- Type 1 Diabetes: People with type 1 diabetes depend on insulin treatment. They inject insulin to make up for what their pancreas can’t make.
- Type 2 Diabetes: Some people with type 2 diabetes also need insulin treatment when changes in lifestyle and other treatments don’t work.
- Gestational Diabetes: Pregnant people with gestational diabetes might need insulin treatment.
- How Insulin Reduces Blood Sugar:
- Cellular Intake: Insulin helps glucose get into cells, which lowers blood sugar levels.
- Liver Control: Insulin stops the liver from releasing stored glucose, which prevents big spikes in blood sugar.
- Muscle and Fat Cells: Insulin helps muscle and fat cells take in glucose, making sure they have energy.
- Keeping Balance:
- Glucagon, another hormone, does the opposite of insulin. It makes blood sugar go up by releasing stored glucose from the liver.
- Together, insulin and glucagon keep blood sugar in a healthy range.
In short, insulin is a strong tool for controlling blood sugar. Whether through shots or other ways, it helps avoid problems linked to high blood sugar levels.
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