Insulin and glucagon are two important hormones secreted by the pancreas, which play a complementary and balanced role in the human body, regulating smooth changes in blood sugar levels. The main effect of insulin is to lower blood sugar concentrations, while glucagon works to increase blood sugar levels. The relationship between them involves the body's metabolic regulation mechanism and TCM theory.
Insulin is a protein hormone that is secreted by cells in pancreatic islets and released into the bloodstream. Insulin lowers blood sugar concentrations by binding to insulin receptors in the body, promoting glycogen synthesis and glycogen storage. In addition, insulin can also promote the uptake of fatty acids by fat cells, inhibit the decomposition and synthesis of fat, and regulate the metabolism of fat in the body. At the same time, insulin also controls the increase in blood sugar levels by inhibiting the activity of glycogenolytic enzymes in the liver and reducing the release of glucose by the liver.
Glucagon is another hormone secreted by cells in pancreatic islets that work to increase blood sugar concentrations. Glucagon stimulates the liver and adrenal glands to secrete glucose, which increases the synthesis and release of adrenal cortisol by increasing the rate of glycogen synthesis and breakdown in the liver, and promotes an increase in blood glucose concentration in the body. Glucagon also increases the liver's activity in producing glucose esters and glucose isomerases, causing the liver to release more glucose into peripheral tissues.
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the relationship between insulin and glucagon is closely related to the balance of yin and yang in the human body. Yin and Yang balance is one of the important concepts in TCM theory, which refers to the state of balance of various functions, substances and energy in the human body. Insulin is a negative substance that promotes the synthesis and storage of energy and regulates the body's yang energy. Glucagon is a positive substance, which has the effect of promoting the decomposition and release of energy, and can regulate the body's yin qi. The balanced relationship between insulin and glucagon is essential for maintaining the body's normal physiological function and metabolism.
In traditional Chinese medicine**, there are also many ancient and modern prescriptions that combine the relationship between insulin and glucagon to target different types of diabetes**. For example, Pueraria lobata is a traditional Chinese medicine in which Pueraria lobata has the effect of dilating blood vessels, increasing insulin secretion and promoting insulin receptor activity. In addition, traditional Chinese medicines such as astragalus, salvia, and wolfberry are also widely used to improve insulin secretion and improve insulin sensitivity.
In summary, insulin and glucagon are two hormones that complement each other and interact with each other, and they maintain the balance of energy metabolism in the human body by regulating the rise and fall of blood sugar concentration. In the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, the relationship between insulin and glucagon is related to the balance of yin and yang in the human body, which is of great significance for the prevention and prevention of diseases. Therefore, we should maintain a good Xi of life, eat reasonably, exercise moderately, and adjust our mental state to maintain the balance of insulin and glucagon, so as to maintain health.
Health References:
1. alberti kg, zimmet pz. definition, diagnosis and classification of diabetes mellitus and its complications: part 1: diagnosis and classification of diabetes mellitus. provisional report of a who consultation. diabetic medicine. 1998 jul;15(7):539-53.