To better understand the concept of diabetes we have to explain more fully what are glucose and insulin:
Glucose
It is a form of sugar that is the main source of energy for the human body and obtained through food. When they reach the intestinal tract, primarily foods contain carbohydrates, fats and proteins, these carbohydrates are those that give rise to glucose.
Insulin
It is a hormone that is responsible for collecting and storing glucose in the liver, muscle and adipose tissue. To enter cells, glucose needs insulin produced in the pancreas when you eat foods containing carbohydrates. However, for insulin to be effective must satisfy two conditions:
1. The pancreas to produce insulin in sufficient quantities.
2. The cells are able to detect and respond allowing insulin action.
In addition to insulin, the pancreas produces another hormone called glucagon, which has the opposite effect. Glucagon is produced in situations of fasting and its mission is to mobilize stored reserves of glucose by insulin for cells to use them when needed.
Tags: Diabetes, Glucagon, Glucose, Insulin, Pankreas
