Human body requires energy, which comes from food. Sugars and starches, known as carbohydrates, are the most efficient energy sources. In the gut, they are broken down to glucose, which gets into the blood stream and is delivered to various organs and muscle. Blood glucose is often called blood sugar. The blood sugar concentration in healthy individuals varies from 60 - 90 mg/dL after fasting to not more than 140 - 150 mg/dL one hour after a meal. This is called a healthy blood sugar balance. It goes back to the baseline level 2 - 3 hours after a meal.
HORMONES ESSENTIAL FOR THE BLOOD SUGAR CONTROL
The blood sugar concentration is controlled by two hormones, glucagon and insulin. Both hormones are produced in the pancreas in response to changes in the blood sugar levels. During fasting, the decreasing blood sugar levels trigger secretion of glucagon by the pancreatic alpha cells and inhibit insulin production by the pancreatic beta cells. The increase of the blood sugar level after a meal stops glucagon production and promotes insulin secretion by the pancreatic beta cells. Therefore, glucagon and insulin are antagonists.
Glucagon stimulates breakdown of glycogen, a starch-like compound produced and stored in the liver, to glucose. If glycogen is depleted, glucagon triggers gluconeogenesis in liver cells. Gluconeogenesis is a process of glucose synthesis from the products of protein and fat digestion. Glucagon also stimulates fat breakdown in the adipose (fat) tissue. Insulin stimulates glucose uptake by all cells in the body, especially by muscle, liver, and adipose tissue. In the liver, insulin promotes synthesis of glycogen from glucose. Insulin also stimulates fat production and storage in the adipose tissue. Read sugar balance reviews to know more about how its working .
In summary, the blood glucose concentration is self-regulated. When it is too high, insulin is produced, and the excess of glucose is quickly absorbed and stored for later. When it is too low, glucagon is secreted, and the glucose is released to the blood stream.