Insulin, this small but powerful hormone that plays a fundamental role in our health, is a topic of great interest to health professionals and the general public.
But what do we really know about insulin? In this article, we will learn that insulin is much more than just a blood sugar regulator, how our body produces and uses it, what role it plays in various diseases, and how our lifestyle influences its effects.
What is insulin?
Insulin is a word we often hear when we talk about health. It is an important piece of the complex puzzle of how our body works . When we talk about insulin, we can refer to two different types of insulin : the insulin that our body produces itself and the pharmaceutical insulin that is administered through injections. Let's start with natural insulin.
Natural insulin
Have you ever wondered what your body does with the delicious snacks and sweets you love to eat? This is where a small but powerful hero comes into play: insulin. This hormone ensures that the energy (sugar) contained in food gets to where it needs to go.
Scientifically speaking, insulin is a peptide hormone , which means it is made up of chains of amino acids. It is produced by the beta cells of the pancreas , called islets of Langerhans . Insulin secretion is a highly regulated process that responds primarily to blood sugar levels.
When you eat something, especially food rich in carbohydrates, your blood sugar level rises. This rise is detected by the beta cells in the pancreas. In response, these cells start producing insulin and secreting it into the bloodstream. Insulin acts like a signal to the body's cells, telling them to take in glucose.
In this way, insulin helps to lower blood sugar levels and keep them within a healthy range. In addition to responding to glucose , insulin is also released in response to other stimuli. For example, certain hormones in the gastrointestinal tract that are released when food is consumed can also stimulate insulin release. In addition, insulin is not only involved in regulating blood sugar levels, but also plays a role in fat and protein metabolism.
Above all, without insulin, the body has difficulty utilizing the nutrients it takes in with food. Without insulin, you simply cannot live.
But what if the body does not produce insulin (type 1 diabetes) or cannot use it efficiently (insulin resistance)? This is where an amazing solution comes into play: pharmaceutical insulin.
Pharmaceutical insulin
Now let's move on to pharmaceutical insulin. This is a man-made version of natural insulin that is a real lifesaver for many people, especially those with type 1 diabetes.
There are several types of pharmaceutical insulin , all of which work in different ways. Some work very quickly but only for a few hours - ideal for controlling blood sugar spikes after eating. Others are like marathon runners: they work more slowly but maintain their effect throughout the day, helping to keep blood sugar levels stable.
Doctors prescribe pharmaceutical insulin primarily to people with diabetes, a condition in which the body either produces too little of its own insulin (type 1 diabetes) or cannot use it properly (type 2 diabetes). In these cases, artificial insulin becomes an important tool that helps the body process sugar and keep everything under control.
Whether your body produces it on its own or you need a little outside help, insulin is essential to keeping your energy and health in balance.
What exactly is insulin used for?
Now that we know what insulin is, we can go into its functions in a little more detail. In fact, insulin has many functions with fairly complex mechanisms - you could write a whole book about it! So let's focus on the basics.
regulation of blood sugar levels
First and foremost, insulin regulates blood sugar levels . It plays a crucial role in keeping your blood sugar levels under control.
Do you know what happens when you eat your favorite cake or a piece of juicy fruit? The sugar from these foods enters your bloodstream and causes your blood sugar level to rise. This is where insulin comes in, a kind of traffic cop that makes sure that the glucose doesn't just float around in the blood, but gets to where it's needed (mainly the muscles).
Whether insulin is secreted naturally by the pancreas or it is pharmaceutical insulin administered by syringe, the way it works is always the same: it is the key that opens the doors of the cells so that glucose can enter and be used as energy or stored for later use
Without insulin, glucose would build up in the blood, which can lead to serious health complications.
The Importance of Insulin in Metabolism
Insulin is not only a blood sugar regulator, but a true all-rounder in metabolism. Insulin not only helps to regulate blood sugar levels, but is also crucial for fat and protein metabolism .
For example, it facilitates fat storage by signaling fat cells to store fat and not break it down. In the case of proteins, insulin supports their synthesis, which means it contributes to the building and repair of our muscle tissue.
Insulin is therefore not only important for the production of energy from food, but also for the growth and repair of our body.
Insulin is also used for…
And that's not all. In addition to regulating blood sugar levels and its role in carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism , insulin has many other functions . Some of these functions are
- Glycogen synthesis: Insulin stimulates the formation of glycogen in the liver and muscles. Glycogen is the stored form of glucose that serves the body as an energy reserve.
- Inhibition of gluconeogenesis: Insulin helps inhibit gluconeogenesis, a process by which the body makes glucose from non-carbohydrate sources such as amino acids. In this way, insulin ensures that blood sugar levels do not rise too high, especially after eating.
- Influence on growth and development: Insulin has anabolic effects on various tissues, that is, it contributes to tissue growth and tissue repair. It interacts with growth hormone and other anabolic hormones.
- Regulation of blood flow and blood pressure: Insulin can influence the dilation of blood vessels and thus blood flow and blood pressure.
- Modulation of the activity of other hormones: Insulin can affect the release and activity of other hormones, such as counterregulatory hormones (e.g. glucagon, cortisol, adrenaline), which have opposite effects and contribute to increasing blood sugar levels.
- Brain function: Insulin also plays a role in the brain, where it affects memory and learning. There is interesting research on the link between insulin and neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.
These additional functions of insulin make it clear that it is not just a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels, but that insulin is central to many systems and processes in the body. And once again: insulin is essential!
Diseases related to insulin
Some diseases are directly related to the way our body produces or uses insulin. Let's take a closer look at some of these diseases.
insulin resistance
Insulin resistance occurs when the body's cells do not respond properly to insulin . This means that insulin cannot do its job effectively and glucose does not enter cells as easily. Causes of this resistance include genetic factors, excess weight, lack of exercise and certain dietary habits. Over time, this condition can lead to the development of type 2 diabetes and can be linked to other health problems such as heart disease and stroke.
type 1 and type 2 diabetes
Diabetes is a disease directly related to insulin. In type 1 diabetes, the immune system mistakenly attacks the beta cells of the pancreas, reducing insulin production .
Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, is often associated with insulin resistance and ultimately a decline in insulin production.
While type 1 diabetes usually requires insulin from the start, treatment for type 2 diabetes can begin with lifestyle changes and medications, with insulin required in later stages.
hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia
Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) are two conditions that are directly affected by insulin. Hyperglycemia can be the result of insulin insufficiency or insulin resistance, while hypoglycemia often occurs as a side effect of insulin treatment, especially when not properly managed.
Other insulin-dependent diseases
In addition to diabetes, insulin also plays a role in other metabolic diseases. For example, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is often associated with insulin resistance . Insulin can also affect cholesterol metabolism and contribute to atherosclerosis when cholesterol levels are not well regulated. Research continues to show how an imbalance in insulin production or action can affect the body's metabolic health in different ways.
Each of these diseases shows how important insulin is and how an imbalance can have far-reaching consequences for our health. A healthy lifestyle can improve insulin sensitivity and, in many cases, prevent insulin-related health problems.
insulin and lifestyle
One thing is clear: our lifestyle has a significant impact on how our body handles insulin. No matter what we eat and how much we exercise, our daily choices can affect how efficiently our body uses this important hormone. Let's explore how diet and exercise affect insulin levels .
Nutrition and Insulin
Diet plays an important role in regulating insulin and blood sugar levels. Foods high in sugar and refined carbohydrates can quickly raise blood sugar levels , which in turn leads to increased insulin secretion and, in the long term, can fatigue the pancreas and cause insulin resistance or even type 2 diabetes.
On the other hand , a balanced diet rich in fiber (e.g. whole grains, fruits and vegetables) and lean protein can help maintain more stable blood sugar levels and thus control insulin secretion . In addition, foods with a low glycemic index are particularly beneficial because they are digested more slowly and thus avoid sudden spikes in blood sugar.
exercise and insulin
Exercise is another key factor in insulin and blood sugar management. Regular exercise helps improve insulin sensitivity , meaning the body can use insulin more effectively. In addition, exercise helps lower blood sugar levels because glucose is used as an energy source during and after exercise.
You don't have to be an elite athlete to reap these benefits. Activities like walking, swimming, cycling, or even yoga can significantly help improve insulin sensitivity.
A combination of healthy eating and regular exercise can be an effective strategy to keep your body and insulin in balance . These measures are beneficial not only for people with insulin-related health problems, but for anyone who wants to lead a healthy lifestyle.
