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What does insulin do?
Your cells cannot use glucose without insulin, a hormone secreted from the beta cells in the pancreas. Insulin helps the cells take in glucose and convert it to energy. When t…he pancreas does not make enough insulin (type I diabetes) or the body is unable to use the insulin that is present (type II diabetes), the cells cannot use glucose, and they begin to starve. Excess glucose builds up in the bloodstream, setting the stage for diabetes. Insulin affects several organs and tissues to promote glycogen storage and laying down of fat. Glucose, some amino-acids, and to a much lesser extent fat all promote insulin release. In the liver, insulin increases glucose transport into the liver from the blood, and the synthesis of glycogen. In muscle the effects are similar and in fact the amount of glucose taken up by muscle is a significant contributor to the total glucose disposal rate (GDR). In adipocytes, insulin promotes synthesis of fat. Insulin is secreted by the pancreatic Islets (islets of Langerhans) in response to elevated sugar in the blood. (MORE)
