Insulin, Glucose & Diabetes
Insulin is needed to turn blood sugar (or glucose) from the foods we eat into energy our cells can use. If you have diabetes, you have too much sugar in your bloodstream. Here is what happens:
- You eat. The food (most food, not just sweets) breaks down into glucose.
- The glucose goes into your bloodstream.
- Your body recognizes the rising levels of blood glucose but cannot produce enough insulin or your body cannot properly use the insulin it does produce.
- Without enough insulin, glucose cannot move from your bloodstream to your cells.
- Glucose builds up to higher-than-normal levels in your bloodstream
- Your cells don’t get the sugar they need for energy
Higher blood glucose levels over a long period puts you at an increased risk of developing complications associated with diabetes.