Curing Diabetes

Three hormones produced outside of the pancreas-epinephrine, growth hormone, and cortisol-all raise blood glucose levels.A catecholamine produced in the adrenal medulla, epinephrine increases blood glucose levels by stimulating gluconeogenesis and lipolysis, thus aiding in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Epinephrine also inhibits the secretion and action of insulin. Stress, exercise, or hypoglycemia can trigger the release of epinephrine. A patient with diabetes may secrete a decreased level of epinephrine-or no epinephrine at all-in response to low blood glucose levels.

The pituitary gland produces and secretes growth hormone, which raises blood glucose levels by increasing protein synthesis and promoting the breakdown of fatty acids in adipose tissue. Stress, exercise, a high-protein diet, and hypoglycemia increase its secretion. Growth hormone prevents hypoglycemia by stimulating the release of glycogen from the liver.

Cortisol, produced in the adrenal cortex, maintains normal liver gluconeogenesis and aids in the conversion of amino acids into glucose in the liver. A potent inhibitor of glucose uptake by tissues, cortisol elevates blood glucose levels and resists the action of insulin. Cortisol levels increase in the early morning and in response to stress and hypoglycemia.

Filed under: Secondary Diabetes