Normal Insulin Levels



Insulin is a naturally-occurring human hormone, produced by the pancreas. Maintaining normal insulin levels is vital because insulin is responsible for regulating many metabolic functions of the body. For example, it regulates the glucose levels in the body. Glucose can be simply understood as the most basic form of sugar, needed for executing our daily activities. Depending upon the existing blood glucose levels and the requirement for fueling the body, insulin regulates the conversion of glucose into glycogen for storage or its sustained release. Even minor alternations in the insulin levels can make an individual susceptible to many diseases, such as:



Diabetes

The two most-acknowledged and universally prevalent health conditions related to elevated or impaired insulin levels are Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetic condition is created in the body due to irregular insulin secretion by the pancreas. Both Type 1 and Type diabetes are a result of less than normal insulin levels. In Type 1 Diabetes, negligible (almost nil) amount of insulin is produced whereas in Type 2 Diabetes insufficient amount of insulin is produced. Those suffering form Type 1 diabetes or severe insulin deficiency are dependent on taking insulin shots around the meal-time since the body cannot experience a feeling of satiety without sufficient insulin. The body needs insulin to ensure that energy extracted from the food is either stored or used properly. Those who don't respond too well to insulin shots or need an urgent infusion of insulin are rendered insulin through insulin pumps. Type 2 Diabetes hampers the glucose metabolism in the body and the blood sugar levels tend to remain higher since glucose isn't stored properly. When the glucose metabolism is impaired beyond a certain degree, the body starts storing the extra glucose in the form of fat. This is why Type 2 patients are often overweight. Type 2 diabetes is commonly referred to as insulin-resistance whereas Type 1 diabetes is a state of extreme insulin deficit. Type 2 Diabetes is known to cause partial or complete blindness and diabetic foot diseases, apart from causing kidney failure.

Elevated Blood Pressure

One of the most common problems related with disturbed insulin levels is elevated blood pressure. High blood pressure is induced when the insulin levels are abnormally raised. In this state, the human body is unable to regulate the storage and processing of various nutrients. Excessive insulin levels tend to upset the storage of micronutrients like magnesium. In this state of insulin hyperactivity, the cells start losing magnesium. This is why people suffering from elevated blood pressure often have raised levels of magnesium in their urine samples. Appropriate magnesium levels are important for relaxing various muscles. Since the muscles of various organs, including the blood vessels, cannot relax properly, they start constricting more, creating excessive pressure in the blood vessels. Similarly, insulin also causes excessive retention of sodium that in turn raises fluid retention capacity of the blood vessels, raising the high blood pressure. Sustained elevated blood pressure can lead to more serious problems likes congestive heart diseases. It has now been proven that overweight people, particularly children and adolescents, are prone to developing an early onset of cardiac diseases since they are prone to having high levels of insulin. This is primarily due to insulin's cumulative effects wherein elevated insulin raises the level of homocysteine-a contributory factor in heart conditions among the younger population.