From: The Insulin Effect: How Your Body Balances Blood Sugar
applicationbehavioural

If insulin is the key that unlocks cells for glucose, what happens when that key stops fitting the lock?

Insulin resistance means cells ignore the hormone's signal, leaving glucose stranded in the blood. This forces the pancreas to produce more insulin, creating a vicious cycle. Lifestyle factors like diet and exercise directly influence how well cells respond to insulin's message.

Action

Try a 20-minute walk after your next meal. Physical activity increases glucose uptake into muscles independently of insulin, giving your pancreas a brief rest.

Read the full exploration
What else is in this exploration
3 evidence blocks3 perspectives2 visualizations8 media resources4 rabbit holes
evidence
Insulin and glucagon operate as a negative feedback system to keep blood glucose within a narrow,...
evidence
Insulin triggers cells to absorb glucose from the bloodstream by inserting GLUT4 transporters int...
evidence
After eating, insulin drives extra glucose into the liver where it is converted and stored as gly...
Sign up to unlock
Continue exploring
The Insulin Effect: How Your Body Balances Blood Sugar
Evidence, perspectives, rabbit holes, and more