Insulin regulates blood sugar levels by helping cells use glucose for energy. Malfunctions in this system occur in diabetes, causing potentially dangerous blood sugar levels. High sugar/carb foods cause excess blood sugar, triggering extra insulin release. Diabetes requires careful monitoring and treatment.
There is a direct connection between insulin and blood sugar. Insulin is a hormone that regulates levels of sugar, or glucose, in the blood by helping cells use it for energy. In a healthy individual, insulin is secreted by the pancreas and more is released when blood sugar levels are high. When blood sugar is low, less insulin is released. Malfunctions of this system occur in those with diabetes, leading to potentially dangerous blood sugar levels if left unchecked.
The relationship between insulin and blood sugar is that insulin is responsible for keeping blood sugar at a healthy level. When a person eats, the food is converted into glucose by the digestive system and released into the bloodstream. The blood sugar is then absorbed by cells throughout the body and used for energy. The hormone insulin is needed for blood sugar to enter cells.
Large amounts of foods high in sugar or carbohydrates are converted into blood sugar more easily than other foods. This can cause blood sugar levels to be higher than normal. When this occurs, the connection between insulin and blood sugar causes the pancreas to release extra insulin. The additional insulin allows cells to quickly absorb excess sugar from the blood. This quickly brings blood sugar back to normal levels, which is important because high blood sugar levels for an extended period can be very unhealthy.
If a person hasn’t eaten for a few hours, blood sugar levels can drop below normal. When this happens, due to the relationship between insulin and blood sugar, the pancreas slows down the rate of insulin secretion. This helps the remaining blood sugar to be absorbed into the cells much more slowly as the cells instead use the stored glucose for energy.
In some individuals, there is a malfunction in the relationship between insulin and blood sugar called diabetes. A person with diabetes does not have the appropriate insulin response to high blood sugar levels. This can occur for the following reasons: the pancreas is unable to produce and secrete the necessary insulin; the body does not respond properly to insulin; or it is not released in the correct quantities. Diabetes is a potentially dangerous disease that requires careful monitoring and treatment which can include lifestyle changes and medications. There is no cure for diabetes, but diabetic individuals can often live long and healthy lives if they are vigilant about blood sugar control.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
