Insulin stimulates glucose uptake A key action of insulin is to stimulate glucose uptake into cells by inducing the translocation of the glucose transporter, GLUT4, from intracellular storage sites to the plasma membrane.

CYTOPLASM

Insulin is a key hormone regulating glucose homeostasis. Its major target tissues are the liver, the skeletal muscle and the adipose tissue. At the cellular level, insulin activates glucose and amino acids transport, lipid and glycogen metabolism, protein synthesis, and transcription of specific genes.

In other words, it functions as an enzyme that transfers phosphate groups from ATP to tyrosine residues on intracellular target proteins. Binding of insulin to the alpha subunits causes the beta subunits to phosphorylate themselves (autophosphorylation), thus activating the catalytic activity of the receptor.

Insulin shifts potassium into cells by stimulating the activity of Na+-H+ antiporter on cell membrane, promoting the entry of sodium into cells, which leads to activation of the Na+-K+ ATPase, causing an electrogenic influx of potassium. IV insulin leads to a dose-dependent decline in serum potassium levels [16].

Like a key fits into a lock, insulin binds to receptors on the cell’s surface, causing GLUT4 molecules to come to the cell’s surface. As their name implies, glucose transporter proteins act as vehicles to ferry glucose inside the cell.

Insulin helps your body turn blood sugar (glucose) into energy. It also helps your body store it in your muscles, fat cells, and liver to use later, when your body needs it. After you eat, your blood sugar (glucose) rises. This rise in glucose triggers your pancreas to release insulin into the bloodstream.

Actually, all types of diabetes (type 1, type 2 and gestational) can require insulin injections. With type 1 diabetes, a person’s beta cells stop producing insulin (or enough insulin), so this means that in order to survive, insulin injections are necessary.

Glucose comes from the Greek word for “sweet.” It’s a type of sugar you get from foods you eat, and your body uses it for energy. As it travels through your bloodstream to your cells, it’s called blood glucose or blood sugar. Insulin is a hormone that moves glucose from your blood into the cells for energy and storage.

What are normal insulin levels?

Insulin is a hormone that helps control your body’s blood sugar level and metabolism — the process that turns the food you eat into energy. Your pancreas makes insulin and releases it into your bloodstream. Insulin helps your body use sugar for the energy it needs, and then store the rest.

Excess insulin in the bloodstream causes cells in your body to absorb too much glucose (sugar) from your blood. It also causes the liver to release less glucose. These two effects together create dangerously low glucose levels in your blood. This condition is called hypoglycemia.

Diabetes and fatigue People on stronger diabetes medication such as insulin, may also experience fatigue as a symptom of low blood glucose levels. Blood glucose testing can help to determine whether high or low sugar levels may be the cause of fatigue.

To keep your blood sugar in balance, try to get at least 7 hours of sleep each night. If you work at night or have rotating shifts: Try to maintain regular meal and sleep times, even on your days off, if you can.

A high-protein, low-fat snack before bed may help people with diabetes stabilize their blood sugar levels overnight. Everyone’s blood sugar levels change throughout the night. In people with type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes, these fluctuations can cause high blood sugar levels, or hyperglycemia, in the morning.

So for a period of time in the early morning hours, usually between 3 a.m. and 8 a.m., your body starts churning out stored glucose to prepare for the upcoming day.

With portion size in mind, a person with diabetes can include:

• canned tuna, salmon or sardines.
• low-salt deli meats, such as turkey and chicken.
• hard-boiled eggs.
• salads with a side dressing.
• low-salt soups and chili.
• whole fruit, such as apples and berries.
• cottage cheese.
• plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt.