Insulin

Insulin is a naturally occurring hormone released by beta cells in the pancreas in response to food [or drink].  As blood glucose levels rise, insulin is secreted in order to use it. Insulin has three major effects:

• It increases the uptake of glucose and amino acids into cells and increases the rate of cellular respiration and the use of glucose as a respiratory substrate.  It thus plays a very very major role in supplying cells with the energy they need.

• Insulin also helps the body store excess glucose as ‘adipose tissue’. Insulin increases the rate of conversion of glucose to fat in fat storing cells [adipose tissue]

• Insulin increases the rate of conversion of glucose to glycogen in the liver and muscle cells. Glycogen is used by the body as a sort of reserve supply of energy.

In effect, high blood glucose levels stimulate the release of insulin. Insulin thus enables glucose to be taken up and used by insulin-dependent tissues and the overall effect is to lower blood glucose levels.

Observations

For iPad/iPhone users: tap letter twice to get list of items.

• Chromium, insulin and diabetes
• Hallucinations from hyperglycemia: magnetic resonance imaging
• Treat hallucinations from hyperglycaemia with insulin