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Glucagon Pancreatic
Hormone Regulates Blood Glucose |
Carbs in Food |
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Information About Carbs | Carbohydrates Guide | Low Carb Diets |
How Glucagon Regulates Blood Glucose LevelsAlpha Cells Secrete GlucagonAbout 25 percent of the pancreatic cells known as islets of Langerhans are called alpha cells. These alpha cells produce the hormone glucagon. They are stimulated to produce and secrete glucagon when blood glucose levels fall below a certain level - eg. between meals or during prolonged or vigorous exercise. Glucagon stimulates liver cells to break down glycogen into glucose and release it into the bloodstream. Glucagon also causes the liver (and other cells, like muscle) to convert other materials (eg. protein) into glucose, via (eg.) gluconeogenesis. Then, when blood glucose levels return to normal, pancreatic glucagon secretion drops. Glucagon Injections for HypoglycemiaA diabetic patient suffering from hypoglycemia (abnormally low blood glucose levels), who is unable to swallow, or (worse) who becomes unconscious, can have his/her blood glucose levels rapidly raised by an injection of glucagon. (Glucagon is usually sold in pre-measured doses to avoid overdosing.) Typically, response to glucagon occurs within 5-20 minutes. Obviously it is important for the diabetic suffering from hypoglycemia to have people close at hand who know how to administer glucagon in a safe manner. For example, stomach upset after receiving glucagon may cause vomitting, therefore the patient's head should be kept raised above body level. Also, when revived, the diabetic should consume a small snack as soon as he/she can swallow. |
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Carbs-Information.com provides general information about the glycemic index (GI), glycemic load (GL), low GI diets, GI values for all food groups, health problems of high blood glucose including metabolic disorders such as pre-diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinism as well as type 1 and type 2 diabetes. But no information is intended as a substitute for medical advice. Copyright 2003-2013. |