Written by The liver plays a major role in the homeostasis of blood glucose levels. It does this by:
- Storing glucose as glycogen, a long chain of glucose molecules, for later use.
- Releasing glucose into the bloodstream when blood sugar levels are low.
- Producing glucose from non-carbohydrate sources, such as amino acids and fatty acids, when blood sugar levels are high.
The liver is able to do this because it has a large supply of glycogen and because it contains enzymes that can both synthesize and break down glucose.
The liver is regulated by two hormones: insulin and glucagon. Insulin, which is produced by the pancreas, promotes the storage of glucose as glycogen and inhibits the production of glucose. Glucagon, which is also produced by the pancreas, stimulates the production of glucose and inhibits the storage of glucose as glycogen.
When blood sugar levels are high, insulin levels increase. This causes the liver to store glucose as glycogen and to inhibit the production of glucose. When blood sugar levels are low, glucagon levels increase. This causes the liver to release glucose into the bloodstream and to inhibit the storage of glucose as glycogen.
The liver is an essential organ for maintaining blood glucose homeostasis. Without the liver, blood sugar levels would fluctuate wildly, making it difficult for the body to function properly.
In people with diabetes, the liver is not able to regulate blood sugar levels properly. This is because the body either does not produce enough insulin or the cells do not respond to insulin properly. As a result, blood sugar levels can become too high or too low.
There are a number of things that people with diabetes can do to help manage their blood sugar levels, including:
- Eating a healthy diet
- Exercising regularly
- Taking medication as prescribed
- Monitoring their blood sugar levels regularly
By following these steps, people with diabetes can help keep their blood sugar levels in a healthy range and reduce the risk of complications.