How Insulin Treatment Lowers Blood Sugar

Insulin treatment works by lowering blood sugar levels through several mechanisms:

Glucose Transport: Insulin acts as a key that unlocks the glucose transport channels in muscle, fat, and liver cells, allowing sugar to enter these cells from the bloodstream.

Inhibition of Glucose Production: Insulin suppresses the production of glucose by the liver. This effect is particularly important in lowering fasting blood sugar levels.

Glycogen Synthesis: Insulin promotes the storage of glucose as glycogen in the liver and skeletal muscles. By converting excess glucose into glycogen, insulin reduces the concentration of glucose in the blood.

Decreased Lipolysis: Insulin inhibits the breakdown of fat (lipolysis) and enhances the synthesis of fatty acids in adipose tissue. This results in reduced release of fatty acids into the bloodstream, which decreases the availability of glucose precursors and consequently lowers blood sugar levels.

Protein Synthesis: Insulin stimulates protein synthesis and amino acid uptake in muscle cells. In this way, it not only helps maintain healthy muscle tissue but also promotes glucose utilization.

Increased Renal Glucose Excretion: In the kidneys, insulin enhances the reabsorption of glucose from the renal tubules back into the bloodstream. However, in cases of insulin resistance or absolute insulin deficiency, the capacity of the kidneys to reabsorb glucose can be exceeded, leading to glucose loss through urine, which contributes to blood sugar reduction.

In summary, insulin lowers blood sugar levels primarily by facilitating glucose uptake into cells, suppressing glucose production in the liver, and promoting the storage of glucose and synthesis of other molecules. By these actions, insulin maintains glucose homeostasis in the body.