WHAT ARE THE FUNCTIONS OF GLUCAGON?
Glucagon is not essential to life. It works antagonistically to insulin, by increasing rather than decreasing blood sugar.. It acts as a fuel mobilizer by stimulating glycogen (stored carbohydrate) release from the liver & muscles. It also promotes the formation of glucose from amino acids (protein) when that is needed. Its release is stimulated by hypoglycemia & fasting. It stimulates fat metabolism helping to break down fat & promotes the repair of injured tissues. It increases blood potassium, increases oxygen consumption & promotes sodium excretion. Proteins & amino acids, gastrointestinal hormones, prolonged exercise, stress hormones, & acetylcholine also stimulate its release. Sugar, fatty acids, & hormones suppress its release. Hypoglycemia is a stress state stimulating the output of Glucagon & other hormones to mobilize fuel from the liver & muscles. But this regulatory response to hypoglycemia is impaired in many older people who have impaired ability to maintain glucose balan
