What Role Does Insulin Play In The Body

What role does insulin play in the body and therefore what is insulin resistance? Insulin is a hormone made in the pancreas by beta cells. The pancreas contains clusters of beta cells which are within islets cells. Insulin has a huge role in the metabolism. The digestive tract breaks down carbohydrates into glucose. Glucose enters the bloodstream with the help of insulin. Blood glucose levels rise after eating, the pancreas releases insulin into the blood. Insulin and glucose then travel in the blood to cells throughout the body. Insulin also lowers blood glucose levels by reducing glucose production in the liver. In a normal body this allows blood glucose and insulin levels to remain in the normal range.
In insulin resistance, muscle, fat, and liver cells do not respond properly to insulin and therefore cannot easily absorb glucose from the bloodstream. The body needs higher levels of insulin to help the glucose enter cells in the body. The beta cells produce more insulin. If the beta cells are able to produce enough insulin the insulin resistance is under control and the blood glucose
The exact causes of insulin resistance are not completely understood, scientists think the major contributors to insulin resistance are excess weight and physical inactivity. Belly fat produces hormones and other substances that can cause health problems such as insulin resistance, high blood pressure, imbalanced cholesterol, and cardiovascular disease. Many studies have shown that physical inactivity is associated with insulin resistance. Muscles use glucose the most compared to other tissues in the body. Active muscles burn their glucose for energy and refill their glucose taken from the bloodstream, keeping a balanced blood glucose level. Therefore inactive muscles would not be replenishing their glucose as often having a build up of glucose. Insulin resistance may also come from certain diseases, hormones medications, ageing, and sleep