Concept in Definition ABC

The Insulin is a hormone whose function is to control and regulate glucose within the body in order to keep it between 80 and 100 mg / dl during fasting and do not exceed 200 mg / dl after eating, returning to your basal level within two hours after having ingested food.

This control is carried out by activating the mechanisms that cause sugar to pass from the blood to the cells to be used as a source of Energy and also promoting the various processes of storage of energy so that it can be used in the short or long term.

This hormone is produced in the pancreas, by cells known as beta cells that are distributed forming islets within this organ. The insulin secretion process is quite complex and is controlled by the nervous system, other hormones such as glucagon, somatostatin and cortisol, being activated after the arrival of food to the digestive tract.

Insulin Effects

The main tissues where insulin exerts this effect are at the level of muscle cells, liver cells and also in fat tissue.

Effects on muscle. Stimulates the passage of glucose to muscle cells to be used as an energy source during muscular activity, in addition, it stimulates the entry of amino acids so that it is out the production from protein at that level.

Effects on the liver. Stimulates the production of glycogen, a form of glucose storage that is used to maintain blood glycemia between meals and during periods of fasting, also stimulates protein synthesis liverworts.

Effects on adipose tissue. The passage of glucose to the muscle is intended to be used during muscle activity, when this does not happen then it passes to the tissue adipose where it is converted into triglycerides, which accumulate in adipocytes to be stored and used when the requirement increases energetic.

Insulin and growth

Insulin has a fundamental role in growth since it is necessary for the production of proteins to take place, in this sense it is necessary to presence of both insulin and growth hormone so that children can develop fully and reach the height that dictates their potential genetic.

Insulin production disorders

Insulin production is affected in the disease known as diabetes. In the Type I diabetes there is a destruction of the beta cells of the pancreas, so the body is not able to produce this hormone being necessary administration insulin in the form of injections permanently to sustain life.

The Type II diabetes It is a different disorder, in this the reserve of the pancreas is depleted by various causes which leads progressive decrease in insulin production which increases sugar levels in the blood.

Another disorder associated with this hormone is Insulin resistance, it is a disorder of the metabolism in which tissues need to be stimulated by increasing concentrations of insulin in order to lower blood sugar levels. This condition is frequent in overweight people in whom there is a tendency to be sedentary and eat diets rich in fats and sugars.