What you need to know about Insulin and weight loss!
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates the level of glucose, a simple sugar that provides energy, in the blood.
The human body requires a steady amount of glucose throughout the day, and that glucose comes from the foods we eat. Obviously, though, we don't spend our entire day eating a bit of food at a time to maintain a steady stream of glucose.
This is where insulin comes into play.
When glucose levels are high, insulin stimulates cells in the liver, muscles and fat. Liver and muscle cells combine glucose into a compound called glycogen, essentially storing the energy for later use.
Insulin also removes other by-products of food from the body by stimulating fat cells to form fats from fatty acids and liver and kidney cells to turn amino acids into proteins.
Finally, insulin prevents the liver and kidneys from producing glucose from partially-metabolized materials, a process that can damage these organs over time. Insulin is closely related to glucagon, another hormone secreted by the pancreas.
Glucagon is called into action when blood-sugar levels are low. It stimulates the liver and muscles so that they will break down the glycogen that was created through the intervention of insulin.
Together, insulin and glucagon represent a complete cycle of blood-glucose control.
Insulin also is important in regulating the cells of the body including their growth.
If Insulin levels remain too high, glucose build up in the blood stream and Insulin resistance may develop.
Insulin resistance (IR) is a condition in which the cells of the body become resistant to the effects of insulin, that is, the normal response to a given amount of insulin is reduced.
As a result, higher levels of insulin are needed in order for insulin to have its effect. People with Insulin resistance struggle to loose weight.
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