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Insulin and how is it related to Diabetes and Prediabetes
By pohheng | May 16, 2008
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas and it acts as the “middle man” between glucose and our body cells. Glucose is broken down from the food that we eat and our cells will use the glucose to convert to energy. Insulin helps the cells take in glucose from the bloodstream.
Below are the 4 steps our body do to control blood sugar
- After a meal, blood glucose or sugar levels increases
- Pancreas releases more insulin into the blood
- More uptake of glucose into cells
- Blood glucose or sugar level falls
For Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas stops producing insulin. For Type 2 diabetes, the pancreas produces little insulin or the body is unable to use the insulin that is present and the cells cannot use the glucose. Excessive glucose then starts to build up in the bloodstream, setting the stage for diabetes and prediabetes.
Topics: Blood Sugar Control, Diabetes Overview, Others |