Glucagon, a hormone secreted by the alpha cells of the pancreas in the human body. Glucagon is very important from the perspective of controlling blood sugar levels in the body. Since it is associated with blood sugar levels, it also has a major role to play in your nutrition sciences. Glucagon also plays an active role in regulating the utilization of glucose and fats in the body.
Glucagon and Insulin in fact work hand in hand or rather work to maintain optimal blood sugar levels in the body. Glucagon is released when the blood sugar levels in the body go down while insulin is released when the blood sugar levels in the body go up which is immediately after you have a carbohydrate based diet.
The work of the glucagon actually starts after you have not eaten for way too long. After about 4-5 hours of non eating your blood sugar levels tend to drop which signals the pancreas to release glucagon . Glucagon then orders the liver and the muscles to use the stored glycogen in them to produce glucose. The liver and muscle cells then release the glucose in the blood stream thus maintaining optimal blood sugar levels.
The release of glucagon can perform the following functions altogether. 1. Trigger the liver to convert stored glycogen into glucose 2. Activate the process of gluconeogenesis where amino acids are broken down to produce glucose (Gluconeogenic diet basis) and the amino acids here are Proteins 3. Utilization of fats in fatty acids as energy source for cells.
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