Why Every Diabetic Should Know The Importance Of Glucagon And Insulin

Glucagon and insulin are two naturally occurring hormones that the body needs in order to regulate the amount of glucose in the bloodstream. Few people have even heard of glucagon, and insulin is without question the most heard of hormone amongst members of the public. Insulin is largely related to Type one and type two diabetes, given that it must be injected by sufferers in order to ensure that the amount of glucose in their bloodstream remains regulated and at an acceptable level.

Insulin is there to treat both type one and type 2 diabetes, whereas glucagon has quite the opposite effect on the body. Glucagon is used to increase the levels of glucose found in the bloodstream.

Usually, the human body produces both of these hormones in the pancreas, in order to maintain that the bloodstream remains healthy. The synergy between these two hormones is there to keep the body functioning normally and healthily. The pancreas is usually responsible for the regulation of glucose in the bloodstream, but diabetics must inject these hormones themselves in order to replace the function of the pancreas.

Having a glucagon deficiency is considered less severe than having an insulin deficiency, as an insulin deficiency causes diabetes. Glucagon deficiencies are less well known, and might not affect people all that much. In some cases, however, it can cause hypoglycemia, which has a large number of symptoms. These include dysphoria (essentially, depression-like symptoms), as well as seizures and even unconsciousness.

Just like with diabetes, having hypoglycemia can be regulated by injecting the right hormone (should the individual become unconscious). This is because the hormone quickly raises blood glucose levels, and counters the initial problem. Glucagon insulin hormones have a huge effect on the body, which can be harnessed to help keep an individual healthy.

There is a relationship between glucagon and insulin, and it's rather strange. Instead of the two hormones working together to regulate the bloodstream, they actually work against one another. When insulin is low in production, glucagon will remain high. Equally, when there is plenty of insulin being produced, less glucagon will be required. This means that they do opposite jobs, but meet in the middle and make sure that glucose is regulated in the bloodstream.

Just 5% of the pancreas is actually made up of cells which are able to regulate hormones like these two. These cells are known as pancreatic endocrine cells, and these cluster together in small 'islands' throughout the pancreas organ. The cells are known as pancreatic islet cells, and insulin and glucagon are both created in these cells. The alpha islet cells secrete glucagon, whereas the beta islet cell produces insulin.

These two hormones are incredibly important to maintaining a healthy body and good amount of glucose in the bloodstream. Having a deficiency of either can have damaging effects on the body, which is why modern science is continuing to improve methods of regulating glucose in the blood without the natural production of these two vital naturally occurring hormones.

Frank Franchini is the developer of the mobile application "Insulin On Board" for the iPhone, iPad, and Android devices. To learn more about diabetes control or to download the application, go to www.DiabetesInsulinOnBoard.com

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