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Blood glucose and diabetes
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Your blood glucose level must stay within a narrow range. Insulin and glucagon keep it there.
Too high
After a meal, blood glucose rises. The pancreas releases insulin.
Insulin makes cells take in glucose, and the liver and muscles store it as glycogen.
Insulin makes cells take in glucose, and the liver and muscles store it as glycogen.
Too low (Higher)
When glucose is low, the pancreas releases glucagon.
Glucagon makes the liver convert glycogen back into glucose.
Glucagon makes the liver convert glycogen back into glucose.
Diabetes
Type 1: the pancreas makes little or no insulin. Treated with insulin injections.
Type 2: body cells no longer respond properly to insulin. Linked to obesity. Treated with diet, exercise and sometimes medication.
Type 2: body cells no longer respond properly to insulin. Linked to obesity. Treated with diet, exercise and sometimes medication.
Why does blood glucose rise after a meal?
- Carbohydrates are digested into glucose.
- Glucose is absorbed from the small intestine into the blood.
Answer: Glucose from digested food enters the blood.
Insulin lowers blood glucose by moving it into cells and storing it as glycogen. Glucagon raises it. Type 1 diabetes: no insulin made. Type 2: cells stop responding.
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