How is blood sugar levels controlled in the body?
When blood sugar is high (ie. straight after a meal) the beta cells of the pancreas release insulin, a hormone that favours the conversion of glucose to glycogen to store in the liver and muscle. When blood sugar is low, the alpha cells of the pancreas release glucagon, which activates the reverse reaction, providing an increase in glucose in the blood via the breakdown of glycogen. Also acting similarly to glucagon are catecholamines (adrenaline/epinephrine and noradrenaline/norepinephrine), cortisol (stress hormone) and growth hormones.
